Home Care in Washington

Washington has no state-level income tax, which automatically makes Social Security benefits and other types of retirement income free from taxes. Sales tax is relatively high in the state, while property taxes are somewhat below the national average. Seniors aged 61 and over who can’t work because of disability may qualify for a property tax exemption. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 16% of Washington’s population is seniors aged 65 and over. Seniors can get excellent health services at well below national average rates from area medical centers such as Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and UW Medicine-University of Washington Medical Center. In 2021, the cost for home care in Washington averaged $6,547 a month.

This article is a guide to your likely home care costs in Washington and ways you can manage them. It goes over resources to help you stay independent, and it summarizes the rules licensed agencies have to follow in the state.

Home Care in Washington

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• I. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Washington
• II. Can Medicaid Help You Pay for Home Care in Washington?
• III. Can You Use Medicare to Pay for Home Care in Washington?
• IV. Other Financial Assistance Options for Home Care in Washington
• V. Free Resources for Aging in Place in Washington
• VI. Vaccination Requirements & COVID-19 Rules for Home Care Aides in Washington
• VII. Rules and Regulations for Home Care Providers in Washington
• VIII. How to Find a Home Care Provider in Washington

I. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Washington

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2021, seniors in Washington can expect to pay an average of $6,547 a month for home care. This is for in-home care, which typically includes personal care and companion services. Home health care, which is more heavily slanted toward medical or rehabilitation services and must be provided by a licensed professional, averages $6,578 per month.

The Cost of Home Care and Home Health Care in Nearby States

Compared to nearby states, Washington is near the high end of costs for both home care and home health services. At $6,547 for home care and $6,578 a month for home health, Washington is significantly more expensive than the national average cost of $4,957 and $5,148 a month, respectively. Nearby Idaho averages $5,434 for both types of care, and Montana also manages a relatively low cost of $5,339. Oregon and California both average $6,101 a month for home health services, and California has the same average price for home care, while home care in Oregon dips to $6,006 a month.

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Types of Care

Home care costs an average of $6,547 a month in Washington, which is close to the middle rung of costs for senior living in the state. Other types of care can be more expensive, such as the $9,429 a month average cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home. Adult day care is significantly less expensive than home care, at just $2,600 a month. Assisted living averages $6,000 a month.

II. Can Medicaid Help You Pay for Home Care in Washington?

Yes, Ohio Medicaid can help you pay for the cost of in-home care. Intermittent and part-time medical services and persona

Medicaid pays for home health care services if your doctor authorizes the resources for you, but the non-medical services your caregiver provides aren’t typically covered under the program. In order to get coverage for home care services in Washington, you may have to apply for a COPES waiver. This is a support program that pays the cost of a caregiver if the alternative would be for you to leave your home and move into some kind of Medicaid-covered residential care setting, such as a nursing home.

To qualify for a COPES waiver, you must be enrolled in Apple Health and have a medical need that makes you eligible for nursing home care. Your doctor usually has to sign off on your need for a caregiver, and you may have to demonstrate that all of your care requirements can be adequately met if you stay in your home with caregiver support.

l care are covered by Medicaid’s official State Plan. These benefits are available to beneficiaries of all ages, but there are strict limits on income and assets. Additionally, the federal government has given the state permission to operate several waiver programs that cover home care, chore assistance, emergency alert systems and other supports. These services are designed for individuals who require a nursing home level of care but choose to receive similar services at home or in a residential setting. Eligibility requirements and covered services vary depending on the program.

Home Care Waiver Programs in Washington

COPES Waiver

The COPES waiver can connect you with a wide range of support services that aren’t ordinarily covered under Medicaid. Your caregiver can help you at home with activities of daily living, such as grooming, personal care, getting dressed and meal preparation. Caregivers may also shop for groceries or provide transportation for you to and from medical appointments. There are limits to what counts as a covered caregiver service under a COPES waiver. Ask a program worker about the services your caregiver can provide for you and be compensated for. Respite care may also be included in your COPES support. This provides a space for your caregiver to take a break while you continue to get the care services you need to thrive.

You can sign up for Apple Health and a COPES waiver by calling (855) 923-4633. Visit a local Social and Health Services office to apply in person or submit an application for both programs online at the state’s benefits hub. As part of the approval process, you may have a telephone interview or a home visit from a program intake worker. This worker can assess your needs and make a recommendation to approve your care for a given number of hours each month when your caregiver is able to provide support.

How to Know if You're Eligible for Medicaid in Washington

To qualify for Apple Health, you must meet certain financial eligibility requirements. For a single adult applying for regular Medicaid, the maximum annual income is $30,276, while married couples applying together can earn up to $60,552. Single applicants can own up to $2,000 in countable financial assets, while married couples can have up to $3,000. These assets don’t include much of the equity in the house you live in, a personal vehicle and various personal items such as clothing and jewelry. If one spouse is applying for coverage and the other isn’t, the single-applicant limits apply to the spouse who needs coverage. The non-applicant spouse may own up to $137,400 in countable assets.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Washington

In addition to the financial requirements, you must also meet these criteria to be eligible for Apple Health:

• Have U.S. citizenship or permanent legal resident status
• Permanently reside in Washington state
• Have a medically verifiable disability or chronic health condition that requires care

How to Apply for Medicaid in Washington

You can apply for Apple Health online or by phone at (855) 923-4633. You can drop off print applications at a Social and Health Services office in your area. If you’re applying online, create an account during your first visit to the site and store your information for later. If possible, submit copies of your supporting documents at the time you send in your original application. This allows for easy verification of your claim and speeds up the approval process.

What Information You Will Need

Medicaid has to verify that you are eligible for benefits before it can approve you for coverage. To hurry this along, it helps to have your documents ready to go when the intake worker gets in touch for an interview. Your worker may ask you to provide any or all of these documents:

• Proof of citizenship or legal status
• State-issued ID
• Bank and other financial statements showing your income and available cash
• Pay stubs

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid can be an ordeal, as the paperwork and verification requirements create a tangle, and you may not be clear about all of your options. Fortunately, seniors in Washington have resources available to help pick through all the choices and file a successful application. These free resources can help you prepare your application, pick the right options for your needs or file your appeal after a denial.