Home Care in Illinois

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2021, the median cost of in-home care or home health care services in Illinois is $5,339 per month. When considering the cost of care, you should factor in the quality and level of support that you need. There are different types of in-home care available, from companion care to home health care.

In-home care usually requires no direct medical services, such as rehabilitative therapy or nursing assistance. Home health care involves one or more services that are provided by a medical practitioner, such as a nurse, doctor or certified health professional. This type of care is much more involved and may cost more as a result.

When compared with neighboring states, Illinois is one of the more expensive states for in-home and home health care services. This is due to a growing senior population and elevated demand for these services. The median cost of care in neighboring states, such as Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri, is identical at $4,767 per month. Only Wisconsin is more expensive with a median cost of $5,529 per month for in-home care and $5,720 per month for home health care.

The level and quality of care you can expect greatly influences what you’re going to pay each month. In-home care and home health services ($5,339) are generally more expensive than adult day health care ($1,885) and assisted living facilities ($4,488) but less expensive than semiprivate nursing home care ($6,266).

Medicaid provides coverage for numerous medical services in Illinois, and there are waiver programs available to make home care more affordable. These waiver programs may cover the cost of specific medical services, transportation, the cost of transitioning from a nursing facility and care for people who have disabilities. If the type of care that you need isn’t covered directly by Medicaid, you might still qualify for one or more of these waivers.

While the cost of care in Illinois is greater than the national average, the state offers waivers to help those who can’t afford the rising cost of in-home care or home health care. The Home and Community Based Services waiver program provides coverage for low-income residents in Illinois who receive care at home or in a community living facility. There are nine HCBS waivers you may qualify for and to apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and meet the Illinois state criteria to receive Medicaid.

To qualify for Medicaid, your income must remain beneath the threshold for your family, and there’s a limit to the value of sellable assets that you may maintain. These limits vary based on your household size. In most cases, monthly income is limited to $1,133 for individuals or $1,526 per couple. Assets are capped at $2,000 or $3,000.

You can apply for Medicaid online at Benefits.gov or by calling the Health Benefits Hotline at (800) 843-6154.

What Information You Will Need

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status
• Proof of age and your date of birth
• A Social Security card or green card
• Income statements from Social Security and retirement benefits

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

If you’re having difficulty applying for Medicaid coverage, there are several ways to get assistance. Here are some agencies that can help you apply for Medicaid in Illinois.

Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.

Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), and to treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, physical therapy is often provided in the home to help seniors recover from surgeries and procedures, such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Nursing Care: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services (such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.) for those who need medical care, but don’t need to stay in a hospital full-time.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is designed to help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc., and providers can travel to your home if needed.
• Speech Therapy: Seniors can lose the ability to adequately communicate for many reasons, and speech therapists are there to help seniors regain the ability to communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets and teaching special techniques to swallow safely.

As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.

Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.

While the above programs can be a great way to make home care affordable for many people, they are not the right solution for everyone. Thankfully, there are other ways to make home care more affordable for you and your family. For more information about your other options, read our section on Other Ways to Pay for this guide.

Illinois offers state-funded programs for seniors who are aging in their homes, ranging from assistance with medications to resources for those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. These resources can greatly improve your quality of life and reduce your expenses.

The state of Illinois has a current mandate that requires all professionals who provide in-home care and home health care services to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if they accept Medicare or Medicaid. These rules may change over time, so check in with your local Area Agency on Aging to see whether these mandates still apply. In Illinois, some home care agencies require workers to exceed federal requirements for vaccines, personal protection equipment and policies that may prevent the spread of the virus.

If you’d like more information, you can contact the Illinois Department of Human Services using their free hotline at (800) 843-6154.

The Illinois Department of Public Health oversees rules and regulations for home care services in the state. These rules are outlined in Section 245 of Title 77 of the Public Health Code.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. To help you overcome this challenge, we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs, and finding a home care agency that will be the best fit for you and your family.

Download PDF Here

Learn More About Home Care in Illinois’s Top Cities

• Chicago
• Naperville
• Peoria
• Skokie
• Springfield