In-Home Care in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia was home to more than 1.3 million adults aged 65 and older in 2021, and the population of seniors 60 and older is expected to grow to 24% by 2030. The state is appealing to retirees due to its combination of big-city amenities, beach communities, beautiful landscapes and warm weather. Virginia is also considered one of the best states for health care. It has four nationally ranked hospitals, including the University of Virginia Medical Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Virginia’s great health care is complemented by an array of home care services resources to help seniors live at home while promoting their health, dignity and independence. In-home care is a nonclinical service that helps seniors with their daily activities, such as housekeeping, meal preparation and grooming. It costs an average of $4,767 per month. Home health care is a clinical service provided by a skilled nurse or other medical professionals. Due to this higher level of care, this service costs $4,954 per month.

This guide compares the cost of home care in Virginia with nearby states and with other types of available care. It also covers how to pay for services and resources available to seniors throughout the state.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2021, the average cost of home care in Virginia is $4,767 per month, which is about $200 less than the national average. Compared to other states in the Midatlantic region, the Commonwealth has relatively inexpensive rates. Both Delaware ($5,339) and Maryland ($5,148) have median prices higher than $5,000, and Pennsylvania is not far behind with a monthly average of $4,957. North Carolina has an average rate of $4,385. Inland in the Appalachian country, Kentucky ($4,767) and West Virginia ($3,527) have home care costs lower than Virginia.

Economically, Virginia is a diverse state with a wide range of home care costs. Lynchburg ($4,185) has the most affordable prices, and Charlottesville ($6,292) has the most expensive. Fairfax County, which is part of the Washington D.C. suburbs, has an average rate of $5,339. Only the state capital, Richmond, has more expensive home care costs. Blacksburg and Winchester have similar median prices. In Virginia Beach, which includes the Norfolk area, the average rate for home care is identical to the state average.

In Virginia, in-home care costs $4,767, and home health care costs $4,954. These costs account for 40 hours of service per week. A possible alternative to home health care is adult day health care, which is much less expensive at an average of $1,690. Assisted living facilities also provide help with daily activities in a community setting, and they cost an average of $5,250 per month. Seniors who require a high degree of medical attention and supervision pay an average of $8,213 per month for nursing homes.

Yes, Medicaid in Virginia can cover the cost of some home care services for seniors who require a nursing home level of care. State and federal funds reimburse home care providers through a 1915 (c) waiver program called Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC). It covers personal care, respite, private duty nursing and transition services. Since this is not an entitlement program under standard Virginia Medicaid, you are subject to some service limitations.

You can apply for Virginia Medicaid in three different ways. Fill out an online application by visiting the CommonHelp website at any time. Apply over the phone by calling the Cover Virginia Call Center at (888) 221-1590, Monday through Friday, or print an application and fill it out by hand, then mail it or drop it off at the nearest Department of Social Services location.

What Information You Will Need

When applying for Medicaid using any method, you’ll be required to provide some personal information. This includes:

• Address, phone numbers and other contact information for you and other household members
• Social Security number
• Bank and other financial statements
• Deeds, trusts and other records of assets
• Record of all asset transfers within the past five years
• Information about other health insurance policies you may have

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.