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Does Oregon 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
Oregon pays for home health care through two Medicaid programs: the K Plan and State Plan Personal Care Program (SPPC). These programs allow low-income seniors to get care in their home instead of an assisted living community or nursing facility. Eligibility requirements are stringent, but if you qualify, you could save thousands of dollars per year when it comes to getting the care you need.
K Plan
The K Plan (also called Community First Choice) is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program that pays for home health care and other services seniors need to stay in their homes. To qualify, applicants must be 65+, have countable assets of $2,000 or less, earn no more than $2,742 per month and meet the need for a nursing facility level of care. Seniors have the option to self-manage their care and hire their own caregiver, including family and friends (spouses may not be hired as caregivers under this program). K Plan is an entitlement program, meaning that there is no wait list and seniors are guaranteed to get services if they qualify. The program provides:
- Nursing services
- Personal care
- Home modifications and assistive devices
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Supervision and intervention for people with Alzheimer’s
- Transportation
- Home-delivered meals
- Caregiver respite
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to apply. Generally, you will receive a determination letter in 45 to 90 days, although this process can take longer in some cases.
State Plan Personal Care Program
The State Plan Personal Care Program is similar to the K Plan in that it provides medical services in seniors’ homes. Seniors can self-direct their care or have services managed for them by a representative. SPPC is a Regular Medicaid/Aged, Blind and Disabled program, so the income requirement is lower than the K Plan. Seniors must have income below $914 per month and assets below $2,000 to qualify. Unlike the K Plan, seniors who need a nursing facility level of care are not eligible for this program. Instead, applicants must need help at least once per month with one or more of the following:
- Delegated nursing tasks
- Medication/oxygen management
- Mobility
- Toileting
- Personal hygiene
- Nutrition (eating and preparing meals)
Services include:
- Skilled nursing
- Cognitive assistance
- Health monitoring
- Help with activities of daily living
- Homemaker services
- Medical appointment assistance
Seniors can apply online or contact their Area Agency on Aging for assistance.