Who Qualifies for Home Health Care Financial Assistance in Connecticut?

Seniors in Connecticut may qualify for financial assistance for home health care through the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) program as part of the state’s Medicaid coverage. Qualified individuals may receive assistance with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and health-related tasks.

Depending on eligibility, individuals may still be responsible for contributing to their home care services. This is especially true for those who qualify for Category 1 or 2 eligibility under the CHCPE program. Category 3 participants may have a required contribution as well.

As a Medicaid program, eligibility for CHCPE depends on financial and medical needs. To be eligible, applicants must be 65 or older and meet the financial and functional requirements, with several categories available. Categories 1 and 2 of CHCPE are available for anyone who qualifies for Medicaid coverage in a nursing home. Categories 3 and 5 have income limits. Category 3 has an income limit of 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit. Category 5 has an income limit of $1,594 for individuals. Additionally, all programs have an asset limit, with an asset defined as cash or any items of value that could be converted to cash, such as real estate, IRAs, life insurance policies with a cash surrender value, stocks and bonds.

Functional eligibility is based on ability to determine if the applicant is at risk of being placed in a nursing home without home care. This is determined by ability to complete activities of daily living and whether the individual requires assistance with critical needs. Individuals are then classified into Categories 1, 2, 3 or 5 based on functional needs.

The four categories for CHCPE determine the amount of coverage available for eligible individuals.

• Category 1: This is for individuals who need immediate nursing home placement without assistance. This category sets a 25% cost of nursing home care limit.
• Category 2: This plan limits available coverage to less than 50% of the cost of nursing home care.
• Category 3: This plan is the Medicaid Waiver category and covers care up to 100% of nursing home costs.
• Category 4: There is no cost cap for eligible participants, but services are limited to 14 hours per week from a personal care attendant and homemaker services for 6 hours per week.

CHCPE is designed to provide individuals 65 or older the chance to remain at home and offers a range of services based on needs to those eligible. This can include services such as adult day care, homemaker services, meal delivery, case management and home health aides. It may also assist in providing minor home renovations. Eligible individuals receiving Categories 3 and 5 services also receive full Medicaid benefits, including coverage for their medical care and prescription medications.