By We Care Home Health Team
One of the first questions families ask us is: "How do we pay for this?" Fair question. Home care can seem expensive until you learn about the programs Minnesota offers to help.
The state actually has some of the best home care funding in the country. But the system is confusing, and nobody hands you a clear guide when you need one. So here it is.
Medical Assistance is Minnesota's version of Medicaid. It covers a wide range of home care services for people who meet income and asset guidelines.
If your loved one qualifies for MA, many home care services, including companion care, homemaker services, and personal care, may be covered at little or no cost to your family.
Who qualifies: Eligibility is based on income, assets, age, and disability status. Many seniors and adults with disabilities qualify. The income limits are higher than most people expect, so it's worth applying even if you're not sure.
How to apply: Contact your county's human services office or apply online through MNsure.
The CADI waiver helps people who would otherwise need to live in a nursing home stay in their own home or community instead. It covers a broad range of services:
Who qualifies: You must be eligible for Medical Assistance and meet the level of care required for a nursing facility. A county assessor will do an evaluation to determine eligibility.
Why it matters: CADI can cover many of the services we provide at We Care Home Health, making quality in-home care accessible to families who might otherwise feel priced out.
The Elderly Waiver is specifically for Minnesotans aged 65 and older who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home.
Services covered are similar to CADI:
Who qualifies: You must be 65 or older, eligible for Medical Assistance, and assessed as needing the level of care provided in a nursing facility.
For Minnesotans living with a brain injury, the BI waiver provides home and community-based services as an alternative to institutional care.
Who qualifies: Individuals with a documented brain injury who meet Medical Assistance eligibility and nursing facility level of care requirements.
PCA services help people with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. Unlike some waiver programs, PCA is available through regular Medical Assistance. You don't need to be on a waiver.
Who qualifies: Anyone on Medical Assistance who has a qualified condition requiring hands-on help with daily tasks. A home care assessment determines the number of hours approved.
The Consumer Support Grant gives families a monthly cash grant to purchase their own home care services. This program offers more flexibility. You choose your own providers and manage the budget yourself.
Who qualifies: People who are eligible for home care services under Medical Assistance but prefer to direct their own care.
That's a lot of programs with a lot of eligibility rules. We get it. That's why we don't just provide care. We help families figure out the funding side too.
Here's what we can do:
Too many families delay getting help because they assume they can't afford it. But with Minnesota's programs, many families pay little or nothing out of pocket for quality home care.
The first step is finding out what you qualify for. Give us a call at (952) 256-4240 and we'll help you sort it out.
Submit a referral online and we will call you back the same day. Most services begin within 72 hours.
150+ families served • 72-hour start • Licensed in Minnesota