How to Pay for Home Care in Virginia: Private Pay, Insurance & Medicaid
For many Virginia families, the hardest part of arranging home care isn’t finding the right agency — it’s figuring out how to pay for it. The good news is that there are more options available than most families realize. Understanding each one can make the difference between getting care started quickly and waiting weeks while paperwork stalls.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the three main ways Virginia families pay for home care.
Private Pay
Many families pay for home care directly, either because they don’t qualify for Medicaid, haven’t met their long-term care insurance elimination period, or simply prefer the flexibility that private pay provides.
Private pay gives families the most control over scheduling, caregiver selection, and the type of care provided. It also allows care to begin quickly — without waiting for insurance approvals or eligibility determinations.
Common private pay sources include:
— Personal savings or retirement accounts — Social Security income — Veterans benefits (for eligible veterans and surviving spouses) — Proceeds from a home sale or reverse mortgage — Family cost-sharing arrangements
If cost is a concern, we’ll work with you to build a home care plan that fits your budget — whether that’s a few hours a day or full around-the-clock coverage.
Medicaid (CCC Plus Waiver)
Virginia’s primary Medicaid program for home care is the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver. For seniors and individuals with disabilities who qualify, it covers the cost of personal care services in the home — at no cost to the recipient.
To qualify, your loved one must meet both financial and medical eligibility requirements. Financially, income and asset limits apply. Medically, the individual must require a level of care that would otherwise require a nursing facility.
If your loved one is already enrolled in Virginia Medicaid, they may be eligible for home care services through their Managed Care Organization (MCO) — such as Anthem, Sentara, Humana, or Aetna. CareLiving is credentialed with all four.
Medicaid does not cover all types of home care, and there are waitlists in some cases. If you’re unsure whether your loved one qualifies, learn more about how home care works in Virginia or call us — we help families navigate the process regularly.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If your loved one purchased a long-term care insurance policy, it may cover a significant portion of home care costs. Most policies have a daily or monthly benefit amount and a waiting period (called an elimination period) before benefits begin — typically 30, 60, or 90 days.
To activate benefits, you’ll generally need:
— A written plan of care from a physician or nurse — Documentation that your loved one needs help with at least two activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, or mobility — A claim filed directly with the insurance company
We work with families using long-term care insurance and can provide the documentation needed to support your claim. For a broader look at the types of home care covered under most policies, visit our services page.
Which Option Is Right for Your Family?
The right payment path depends on your loved one’s income, medical needs, insurance coverage, and how quickly care needs to begin. In many cases, families use a combination — for example, private pay while a Medicaid application is being processed.
CareLiving serves families across Northern Virginia, including Reston, Herndon, Fairfax, McLean, Arlington, and Alexandria. If you have questions about payment options or want to find out whether your loved one qualifies for Medicaid home care, we’re happy to help.
Call us at 571-599-7467 or visit carelivers.com to get started.
