Respite care is a valuable service that allows caregivers to take a break while their loved one is temporarily in a hospital or other facility. Unfortunately, Medicare only covers respite care as part of the hospice benefit. Many health insurance plans don't cover the costs of temporary care, but there are long-term care plans that can offer assistance. If your loved one doesn't have long-term coverage, you'll have to pay any charges that aren't covered by insurance or other sources. In most cases, Medicare doesn't pay for long-term care, but there are some exceptions.
For instance, Medicare may cover relief services for you and your loved one. Medicaid doesn't cover respite care as part of its general benefits program, but many states have exemption programs that can be used to help cover the cost. Check your state's Medicaid guidelines and Medicaid exemption programs to see if your state offers respite care benefits. Medicare beneficiaries may be responsible for five percent of the Medicare-approved cost for inpatient respite care. These services provide staff 24 hours a day to provide all necessary medical and custody care to the recipient of care.
All enrolled veterans are eligible for respite care if they meet the clinical criteria for the service and if they are available. To find out if your loved one qualifies for temporary care under Medicaid, look for your state's profile on the Medicaid HCBS program page and contact your state agency directly. You can also contact your local temples and senior centers to find out if there are any foster care facilities available near where you live. A respite care professional provides temporary relief from the daunting tasks and responsibilities of caregivers. However, paying for respite care can be a challenge for older people and their caregivers. If you only provide mild assistance to your loved one, such as help with cooking and cleaning, and it's safe to leave them alone, you may not need respite care. There are other ways to get respite care for your loved one, but they aren't covered by Original Medicare benefits.
While a person can receive Medicare-covered respite care more than once during hospice, each stay can only last five days. You can also search for Medicare providers on the Medicare website or ask your state's Medicaid department for a list of approved local respite care services. Respite care providers can send trained, licensed caregivers to your (or your loved one's) home so you can rest. If you need respite care more often or if you want someone to come to your home, Medicare doesn't cover the cost.
