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Does California Pay for Home Health Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Waivers in California
California has created a one-stop waiver program that offers comprehensive in-home services and supports for participants of all need levels and many tiers of income and assets. Seniors in California who meet the IHSS income and asset limitations can get support for home health and paramedical assistance, which can include blood tests, medication management, non-medical caregiver support, chore assistance, transportation aid, respite care, adult day health services, transition services and medical supplies. Social events are organized by local community and senior centers that participate in the program.
How the IHSS Program Works
IHSS Eligibility Guidelines
Seniors in California can establish financial eligibility for IHSS by showing they already participate in CalFresh, the state’s EBT/SNAP program, receive cash aid, SSI/SSDI or Medicaid. Because these programs all share similar income and asset limitations for participants, it is presumed that approval from one establishes eligibility for all. Medical need for IHSS can be established with a doctor’s note or by a home visit from a program intake worker. IHSS is an almost entirely beneficiary-directed program, which puts the seniors who participate in control of hiring, training, scheduling and retention for all of the workers paid under the program, including home health and paramedical professionals.