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You may be surprised to learn that it is indeed possible to become a paid family caregiver under certain circumstances, though the amount that a family caregiver can get paid depends on the type of assistance you or your loved one is eligible to receive.
Usually, financial compensation for family caregivers is provided by state Medicaid programs, but additional non-Medicaid programs that also serve this purpose do exist in rare situations.
With assistance from the licensed insurance experts at MedicareInsurance.com, you can research and compare multiple healthcare plans that can help you get coverage for various caregiving services. Contact us today to get started.
It should come as no surprise that becoming a caregiver for an aging or ill loved one can take a significant amount of time, as well as serious physical, mental, and emotional energy. In fact, assuming this responsibility can become so involved that it can essentially take the place of a full-time job. Often, this begs the question, “do family caregivers get paid?”
Technically, the answer to this question is yes, but the amount that a family caregiver can get paid depends on the type of assistance you or your loved one is eligible to receive.
Unfortunately, there are very few programs available that actively handle financial compensation for family caregivers. For example, Original Medicare does not pay for long-term care services, such as in-home care, custodial care, or adult daycare services, regardless of whether this care is given by a family member or a professional.
However, you may be surprised to learn that it is indeed possible to become a paid family caregiver under certain circumstances. Sometimes, family caregivers can obtain financial relief for specific needs, including respite care, food, services, and other goods.
Some states will provide payment to family caregivers provided the person receiving the care is a recipient of their state’s Medicaid program (please note that in certain states, this program may exist under a different name). In a very few select states with more progressive healthcare law, it is possible to become a paid family caregiver to those who do not qualify for Medicaid, though the criteria for these programs is strict and complicated.
The best way to learn more about the possibility of becoming a paid family caregiver is to utilize a Service by State tool that can help you find resources in your state that may provide caregiver compensation. The following are a few ways that may explain how to get paid as a family caregiver:
Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to provide more detailed information on whether your state’s medicaid program will pay a family member to provide care to a Medicaid recipient.
In addition, your Area Agency on Aging will usually have additional information on federally-supported programs that aim to help ease the financial burden that caregiving can place on families.
As stated, it is possible to receive financial assistance for family caregiving through certain state programs. The American Elder Care Research Organization provides a detailed listing of state-sponsored Medicaid and non-Medicaid programs that you may be eligible for.
Often, these programs include an element called consumer direction, which allows Medicaid recipients to determine who will be paid for their caregiving time and resources, including family members.
Some diseases, disabilities, and conditions may also carry specific organizations, like CancerCare for example, that may offer grants or other financial assistance to those diagnosed with the disease and the family members who care for them.
County Veterans Service Officers may provide assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and can even help you answer your questions regarding the rules and regulations that surround veterans and survivors of veterans.
The National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NAVSCO) even has an online locator that will direct you to your County Veteran Service Office or the Department of Veteran Affairs.
While Original Medicare does not usually cover custodial caregivers unless these services are short-term and provided by medical professionals, there are some circumstances where a Medicare Advantage plan can provide this much needed coverage.
To start researching and comparing Medicare Advantage plans that may provide more comprehensive caregiving coverage, don’t hesitate to contact our licensed insurance agents today.
