Government programs to help you get paid for caregiving

Medicaid
People with low income and few assets other than their home may be eligible for Medicaid health care coverage. This includes in-home care and personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, eating, moving around, and similar activities of daily living.

Medicaid does cover some of the costs of long-term care, but your elderly mom or dad must meet many eligibility requirements, including functional and financial requirements. Medicaid is a state-run program.

Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. Medicaid planning often requires forethought, because a person must have very few assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage. The limit may be as low as $2,000, excluding the value of a home and possibly a car. A person must "spend down" before becoming eligible.

To learn more, call Medicaid at 877-267-2323, visit the Medicaid website, or visit the Medicaid section of AgingCare.com.

Medicare
Medicare is our country's health insurance program for people age 65 or older, some disabled people under age 65, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare has Two Parts:

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) (Most people pay monthly for Part B)

You can choose different ways to get the services covered by Medicare. Depending on where you live, you may have different choices. In most cases, when you first get Medicare, you are in Original Medicare.

In addition, if your elderly parent is a Medicare beneficiary, they might be eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, regardless of income, health status or current prescription expenses.

To learn more, call the Medicare toll-free help line at 800-633-4227 or visit the Medicare website.