July 16, 2021
Professional home health services can make a big difference in the health of your child and your family. Home health care allows children with short-term or chronic medical needs to get the care they need in the safety and comfort of their own home, while also helping to relieve the burdens of care from the family.
If you have a child who has been diagnosed with a disability, you may be asking yourself, “Does my child qualify for home health care?” Children qualify for in-home nursing or aide services based on a wide variety of needs and conditions. Let’s take a look.
Private Insurance Plans Vary
If you or your family have private health insurance, call your provider to understand your plan’s coverage for pediatric home health care. Many insurance providers will cover home care if it’s less costly than receiving care at a hospital. However, insurance coverage varies among insurance plans and even among insurance providers. If your insurance plan does not cover the cost of home care services for your child, you may still be able to find coverage through government health insurance programs, like Medicaid.
What if I Have Insurance, but Still Need Help Paying for Home Care?
If you have insurance and are struggling to pay expensive medical bills, you may be able to get help. Many families with private insurance plans that don’t cover pediatric home care can still be eligible for low-cost or free pediatric home care with Medicaid and Medicaid waivers. In New York State, families can access coverage with Medicaid via home and community-based services, called HCBS 1915(c) waivers. To learn more, visit New York State’s website for Children’s Medicaid Waiver Programs.
What if I Don’t Have a Job?
If you are currently unemployed, you may still be able to receive help with home care services for your child. Government health insurance, like Medicaid or CHIP, will sometimes offer low-cost or free home health services for overnight hours, when other day time shifts aren’t covered. These shifts oftentimes qualify to help parents get much needed rest.
What if I Don’t Have Insurance?
Your child can still qualify for certain home health services, even if your family does not have health insurance. New York State offers health insurance for uninsured children, called New York Child Health Plus (CHIP). To learn more, visit New York State’s official CHIP website.
JSP Home Health Services Helps Families Find Coverage for Home Health Care for Their Child
At JSP Home Health Services, we understand that the nuances of insurance policies can be confusing. We’ll help you navigate your insurance policy, or help you find financial assistance, for home health services for your child. If you’d like to know whether your child qualifies for home care services, contact us online or call us at 866.860.2528. To learn more about our pediatric home health services, click here.
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