Paying for Home Care in North Carolina: Medicare, Medicaid & Private Options

Understanding how to pay for home care can be one of the most overwhelming parts of caring for an aging loved one. At SILVERcare, we often meet families who are unsure what Medicare or Medicaid covers—and how it all fits together.

We’re here to help clarify what’s available, what’s not, and how to make the most of every resource.

What Medicare Covers—and What It Doesn’t

Medicare is a vital health insurance program for seniors, but many families are surprised to learn it does not cover long-term, non-medical home care—which includes services like bathing assistance, meal prep, light housekeeping, or companionship.

However, Medicare does offer help in other ways:

• Skilled nursing or therapy after hospitalization (short-term and with limitations).
  
• Durable medical equipment (DME) like walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.
  
• Medical supplies such as wound care dressings, incontinence pads (in some cases), and diabetes supplies.
  

So while Medicare won’t pay for SILVERcare’s services directly, it can support other aspects of your loved one’s care.

What About Medicaid?

North Carolina’s Medicaid program offers certain home and community-based services through waiver programs, primarily to low-income individuals. However, SILVERcare is a private-pay agency, so we do not accept Medicaid as payment for our services.

That said, Medicaid can still be valuable for:

• Medical supplies and incontinence products
  
• Grab bars or other home safety modifications
  
• Home health visits or adult day care services (through separate providers)
  

We’ve worked with many families who combine these resources with private care to meet their full needs.

Private Pay and Long-Term Care Insurance

At SILVERcare, we accept:

• Private funds (from personal savings, family contributions, etc.)
  
• Long-term care insurance (policies designed to pay for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing homes)
  

This model gives families full flexibility to:

• Choose the schedule and type of care they want
  
• Adjust care as needs change
  
• Avoid the restrictions of government-funded programs
  

We find that many families prefer this approach because it puts them in control.

How SILVERcare Helps You Navigate the System

Even though we don’t bill Medicare or Medicaid ourselves, we’re very familiar with how these programs work—and we’re happy to help families tap into available resources.

Our office can help:

• Recommend trusted DME suppliers covered by Medicare
  
• Guide you on where to apply for assistance with medical supplies or safety devices
  
• Coordinate with hospital discharge planners to ensure you’re not missing out on services your loved one qualifies for
  

We often help families build a blended strategy—using private pay for personal care while leveraging Medicare or Medicaid for medical needs.

We’re Here to Help You Make Sense of It All

Paying for care doesn’t have to be confusing. At SILVERcare, we’ll walk you through the options and help you build a plan that works for your family—both financially and logistically.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll explain what our services include, what they cost, and how to make the most of every available resource in North Carolina.

Because getting your loved one the right care shouldn’t be complicated—it should just feel right.