Home Care in New York

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, seniors receiving in-home care in New York pay an average of $5,339 per month, while those receiving home health care pay an average of $5,529.

Home care provides seniors with services such as housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship and basic personal care, while home health care goes a step further by providing nursing services, such as medication administration, wound care, health monitoring and rehabilitative therapies.

Both services are more expensive in New York when compared to the national average costs of $4,957 per month for home care and $5,148 for home health care. At $4,957, Pennsylvania seniors pay much less than New Yorkers for both services, whereas New Jersey seniors pay $190 more for home care and $181 more for home health care. Connecticut’s costs are slightly less at $5,243 for home care and $5,339 for home health care, while Massachusetts and Vermont both have higher costs for home care and home health care, which are $5,911 and $5,720 per month, respectively.

While staying at home may seem like the most affordable option for seniors in need of long-term care, that’s not always the case. Assisted living offers full-time residential care at an average cost of $4,580 per month, which is nearly $800 less than home care and $1,000 less than home health care, while adult day health care, which isn’t residential but offers similar services in an out-of-home setting, costs an average of just $1,907 per month. On the other hand, nursing home care is far more expensive with an average starting cost of $12,775 per month; however, this level of care is typically reserved for seniors who need round-the-clock medical supervision and care in a hospital-type setting.

While Medicaid doesn’t directly cover home care services in New York, it does have waivers in place to help seniors access necessary services and supports while they continue to live independently. These waivers help the seniors avoid nursing home placement, which can be a considerable expense for the state’s Medicaid program.

There are three waiver programs in New York that help seniors access personal care and medical support while remaining in their own homes.

To qualify for Medicaid coverage in New York, seniors must meet the program’s income and asset limits. For one-person households, income must fall below $18,075 annually and the applicant can’t own more than $16,800 in countable assets. In households with two people, the total income can’t exceed $24,353, while assets are limited to $24,600.

Seniors interested in applying for Medicaid in New York can do so by completing an online application or contacting the Medicaid Helpline at (800) 541-2831. Seniors can also opt to request Medicaid coverage through their Managed Care Organization, should they have one, or visit their nearest Department of Social Services office.

Before applying, seniors should be prepared to provide:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
• Photo I.D.
• Statements proving income, including pensions, Social Security and military pay
• Bank statements
• Copies of any stocks or bonds
• Copies of burial plot deeds or burial trusts
• Proof of any current health insurance policies
• Medical bills for the previous three months

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

In New York, there are a variety of resources available to help seniors understand the application process and their eligibility for Medicaid.

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.

Seniors in New York can benefit from a variety of programs that are designed to encourage independence and a greater quality of life. The following programs make home living safer or more affordable, and ensure that all seniors have access to basic necessities.

New York mandated that all home care and home health care workers be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 by January 27, 2022. Under this ruling, caregivers are required to have both the first and second dose of the vaccine with recommendations for additional boosters, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

As of April 2022, these guidelines are up to date; however, because they are subject to change on a regular basis, it’s important to check with the local government for the most recent regulations. Additional rules may be established by individual home care agencies, which can be obtained from the agencies themselves.

The New York State Department of Health is responsible for licensing and regulating home care and home health care throughout the state.

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 New York’s Top Cities

• Albany
• Bronx
• Brooklyn
• Buffalo
• Hyde Park
• Long Island
• Nassau County
• New York City
• White Plains
• Queens
• Queens County
• Staten Island
• Suffolk County
• Syracuse
• Westchester County
• White Plains
• Yonkers