Home Care in Minnesota

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2021, in-home care has a median cost of about $6,673 per month while home health care could cost $6,912 per month. Your own costs will depend on the level of care you receive, where you reside within the state and the type of care you need. In-home health services focus on assisting people with their regular routines by providing transportation services and administering prescribed medications. Home health care is required when someone requires medical treatment from a registered nurse or physician.

Compared to its neighbors and the national average, Minnesota is an expensive state for seniors who need long-term care. The national average for home health care is $5,148 per month, and all of Minnesota’s neighbors have a lower median cost of care. Home health care in Iowa, for example, costs nearly $1,400 less per month than it does in Minnesota. Prices in Wisconsin are similar. North and South Dakota are also substantially more affordable than Minnesota with averages of $4,689 and $5,911 respectively.

While home care is more expensive than adult day care services ($2,167) or assisted living ($4,508), it offers considerable savings over semiprivate care in a nursing home, which costs $11,601 per month. If you’d prefer to age in place in your home but require a nursing level of care, expect to pay $6,673-$6,912 depending on your individual level of care.

Medicaid can cover the costs of medical treatment associated with home care, but it doesn’t cover it directly. There are several waiver programs available, however, that can make home care more affordable or cover the cost entirely. These waivers include the Essential Community Supports Program, Alternative Care Program, Elderly Waiver and Minnesota Senior Health Options Program.

To qualify for the following Medicaid waiver programs, you must first qualify for Medicaid in Minnesota.

To qualify for Medicaid in Minnesota, you must first meet several eligibility requirements. Your income can’t exceed the state’s threshold for Medicaid recipients, and there’s a limit on the value of assets you can hold while you receive assistance with the cost of care. For 2022, your monthly income must be no more than $1,074 individually or $1,453 as a couple. Assets are capped at $3,000 per person.

Minnesota’s Medicaid program is called Medical Assistance and is managed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. You can apply online by visiting the Medical Assistance website or through Minnesota’s Health Insurance Marketplace at www.mnsure.org.

What Information You Will Need

You should have the following information available when filling out your application.

• A valid ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport
• Your Social Security number or green card
• Proof of income from all sources, including your retirement and Social Security
• Bank statements and investment account information
• Proof of birth

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid can be a confusing and time-consuming process. To ensure that you’ve filled out your application correctly, you can get assistance from these sources.

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.

If you’ve decided to seek care within your own home, there are plenty of resources available that can provide support services, educational resources and assistance.

Minnesota health care workers and support staff are currently required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus due to federal and state mandates as of April 2022. These rules may change in the future, so check with your local Area Agency on Aging to find the most current information for your area.

Many in-home health services and home health care providers are taking steps beyond what the mandates require to protect seniors. These measures include using personal protection equipment and masks and maintaining social distancing when possible. Check with your home health agency to see what their policies are and what they’re doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Minnesota Department of Health regulates home care agencies in the state. All home care providers must follow the home care statutes found in Chapter 144A of the Minnesota 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 Minnesota’s Top Cities

• Minneapolis
• Saint Paul