Home Care in Nebraska

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, Nebraska seniors pay $5,148 per month for in-home care and $5,339 per month for home health care. In-home care offers nonclinical services such as assistance with daily living tasks, companionship and meal prep. On the other hand, a licensed medical professional provides home health care such as skilled nursing.

Nebraska’s home care costs are lower than its nearby states. South Dakota’s monthly average cost for both care types is $5,911, while Wyoming’s cost for both care types is $5,529. Colorado is the most expensive in the area at $6,387 per month for both care types. Kansas is the least costly in the region, with both services costing $4,576 per month. The national monthly average for both care types is $191 less per month than Nebraska’s average at $4,957 and $5,148, respectively.

Nursing home care in Nebraska can reach an average cost of $7,483 per month, making it the most expensive care option for seniors. More affordable options are assisted living costs at $4,076 per month and adult day care options at just $1,842 per month. In comparison, in-home care and home health care are among the most expensive options for senior care in Nebraska, with a monthly price of $5,148 and $5,339, respectively.

Nebraska Medicaid covers in-home care and home health care for seniors 65 years and older or disabled immediately after the application approval. In certain cases, the covered member can designate their own caregivers.

Additionally, Nebraska provides qualifying seniors with the Aged and Disabled Waiver, making them eligible for services to help them receive home care instead of nursing home placement. Medicaid does not consider this waiver an entitlement since it is separate, which means seniors could be placed on a waiting list to receive determined services.

Aged and Disabled Waiver

The Nebraska Aged and Disabled Medicaid waiver helps seniors and disabled persons to continue their independent living conditions in their own homes rather than in a nursing home. This program provides a variety of services that increase the quality of life of those who qualify, including home care, adult day care and assistive technology. While the waiver covers certain home and vehicle modifications, it does not cover the cost of room and board at an assisted living facility.

To qualify for Nebraska’s Aged and Disabled waiver, you must meet certain income and asset limits, as well as certain functionality requirements. The maximum asset limit is $4,000, and the annual income limit is $13,590, which is equivalent to 100% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, you must need care that can be managed at home or elsewhere, excluding a nursing home, as long as certain services are available to you.

If Medicaid has already enrolled you, you can verify your eligibility for this waiver and/or apply online through the ACCESSNebraska website. You can also call the toll-free Medicaid hotline at (855) 632-7633. To apply in person, you can visit one of the DHHS offices located throughout the state. To find the office closest to your location, you can go to the Medicaid website.

To qualify for Nebraska Medicaid, you must fulfill certain income and asset cap requirements. For regular Medicaid eligibility, you must meet an income limit of $13,590 per year if you are single or $18,310 per year if you are married, regardless of whether just you or you and your spouse apply. Additionally, Medicaid also places an asset value cap, with $4,000 for single applicants and $6,000 for married couples.

There are several ways to apply for Medicaid in Nebraska. To apply online, you can fill out an application on the ACCESSNebraska online portal. Once you have applied, you will receive a letter with your new ACCESSNebraska PIN to login and create your account. You can also apply by phone by calling the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at (855) 632-7633 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call this number to request a paper application. Return your completed paper application to your local DHHS office, fax it to (402) 742-2351 or send it to the following address:

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

P.O. Box 2992

Omaha, NE 68102

Processing times can take 30 to 45 days, depending on how quickly you provide the information requested.

What Information You Will Need

Nebraska Medicaid verifies all information you provide on your application, so you must provide certain documents when requested. These documents include:

• Citizenship record, including your birth certificate, green card, naturalization certificate, etc.
• Driver’s license, non-driver ID card, passport or other forms of picture ID
• Bank statements for any checking and/or savings accounts
• Insurance policies and financial contracts
• Stocks, bonds and other investments
• Pay stubs or tax returns

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

The Nebraska Medicaid application can be difficult to fill out. Thankfully, Nebraska offers different resources to help you apply for and understand your eligible coverage and how to use your benefits once Medicaid approves your application.

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.

The following resources offer free or low-cost programs that help seniors achieve their goal of aging in place for as long as possible.

In Nebraska, the COVID-19 vaccine deadline for all home health care workers who work for agencies participating in Medicaid and/or Medicare programs was March 15, 2022. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emitted this requirement.

While these rules are current as of April 2022, all matters surrounding the COVID-19 can change quickly and often, so it’s a good idea to check with your local Aging and Disability Resource Center to get the most up-to-date information. Additionally, in-home care and home health care agencies may have their own guidelines and policies to mitigate the COVID-19 virus spread, so don’t forget to check with them, too.

In Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)regulates home care providers throughout the state. The Medical Assistance Act, Nebraska Revised Statute 68-901 details these regulations, and the DHHS monitors them to ensure seniors and the disabled receive proper care.

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 Nebraska’s Top Cities

• Lincoln
• Omaha