Does Utah Pay For In-Home Care?

Utah pays for in-home care for low-income, homebound seniors via various Medicaid Waivers. Home care providers in Utah charge an average of $29.50 per hour, and home health care providers charge around $30 an hour. This is above the national average and it can be difficult for some families to cover those fees out of their own pockets. Fortunately, those who are on a lower income can get help from the government.

Medicare does not cover the cost of personal care services, meal deliveries or 24-hour care at home. However, Utah’s Medicaid program provides support for those who have been assessed as requiring in-home care and who meet income and asset requirements.

There are several Utah Medicaid waivers aimed at helping seniors remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The New Choices Waiver is designed to help seniors who are currently living in a long-term care facility return to their own homes while giving them the support they need to stay healthy and independent. The Aging Waiver helps cover the costs of support for older adults living in the community who would otherwise require a nursing home level of care. It can be used to pay for personal emergency response alarms, some home care services and accessibility adaptations.

The Utah Department of Health and & Human Services, Aging and Adult Services division offers a variety of programs to support family caregivers. This can include access to training and respite care as well as financial support sometimes. In addition to this support, there are other programs available such as the Veterans Administration Veteran Directed Care program, which offers veterans the option of hiring family members to provide certain elements of their care.