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My husband has a 20/30 on the mini mental with a ex of Alzheimer’s. I need help caring for help. Does Medicare cover PCA or does he needs to be on Medicaid?

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No, personal care attendants are not covered by Medicare.

I would call your supplemental policy and check on coverage in that way. But in home help is very difficult to come by other than self-paying for it.

You may want to call your local council on aging for direction, and a trip to a licensed social worker may help you find what is available in your area.
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AlzWife Jun 2023
Thank you. We don’t have supplemental so I guess it’s Medicaid. Thanks!
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If he qualifies for Medicaid at home, help will only be a few hours per week. If he needs more care, then are an elder law attorney in order to protect your share of assets. It is well worth the cost if you can protect what you can live on.
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AlzWife Jun 2023
Thanks. I don’t think a few hours will cut it.
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If eligible for VA, they provide caregiver benefits as well as financial Aid and Attendance. Also our local Council on Aging provides limited grants to pay for caregivers. I learned more about these by doing Google searches over and over. Some Medicare Advantage plans also provide them but regular Medicare does not.
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taimedowne Jun 2023
As far as I am aware the VA does not cover in home care unless the disability was the result of an injury suffered in the line of duty. There is indeed the aid and attendance benefit, but that is limited by income and the maximum is something like $2300/month. If you know of a way to get the VA to pay for in home care I would like to hear it, because they are telling me they won’t
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Medicare doesn’t cover in-home care except for hospice and I don’t think Medicaid does either. Medicaid will cover care in a facility, though.
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AliOJ58 Jun 2023
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No
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No, Medicare does not pay need supplemental or LTC insurance. Suggest speaking with an elder care attorney to help clarify rules in your state, including Medicaid spend down and trust options, as Services and eligibility vary by state.

https://www.cms.gov/medicare-medicaid-coordination/fraud-prevention/medicaid-integrity-program/education/personal-care-services
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no it dose not. very expensive on your own through a agency. if you eventually have to go on medicade it takes 3 months to get. call your county dept, of aging for help on medicade. there is a estate recovery process once the other spouse dies.
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you have to spend down your savings for medicade. each state has a certain amount. dept of aging will explain all this. you can stay in the house until you die and medicade will seek recovery for his bill. its over whelming. the average senior citizen dose not have long term insurance.
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Medicare does not cover in home care.

However, look at the tax law and you might be able to deduct some of their expenses as a tax deduction.

If the person is in Memory Care or SNF, it might be possible to deduct most of the cost as an itemized tax deduction.

It is worth it to read the IRS rules or consult a tax advisor if the person pays taxes on their income each year.
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AlzWife: Medicare does not cover a PCA (Personal Care Attendant).
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