Do VA Benefits Cover In-Home Care?

"Do veteran benefits cover in-home care?" It's a common question among Asheville residents, where veterans represent approximately 6% of the total population. It's also an important question because many senior veterans prefer to age in place, but they often lack the resources to do so. Here, we explore the subject in detail and discuss the variables associated with home care for veterans so you can better understand how to obtain essential support for the veteran in your life.

Overview of Veterans Affairs Health Care

VA Health Care is a comprehensive health benefits package provided by the Veterans Health Administration, which is an agency within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It's generally available to veterans discharged under honorable conditions and their families, though the following conditions apply:

Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served for 24 consecutive months or the full period of their active duty. Exceptions apply for veterans discharged for disabilities caused or worsened by their active-duty service and those discharged for hardships or early outs.
Current or former members of the Reserves or National Guard must have been called to active duty by federal order and completed the full period of said duty. Those with active-duty status only for training purposes aren't eligible.

When a veteran applies for VA Health Care, the VA assigns them to one out of a possible eight priority groups, which affects how soon they qualify for health benefits and how much the administration pays toward their health coverage. The VA may place a veteran in a higher or lower priority group based on their service history, disability rating, income level, and eligibility for Medicaid.

For veterans eligible to begin receiving health benefits, VA Health Care may extend to the areas of coverage below.

Preventive Care

Preventive care refers to health care meant to reduce the risk of developing serious health problems, such as:

Immunizations.
Physical, eye, and hearing exams.
Health assessments.
Screening tests.
Health education programs.

Ambulatory Diagnoses and Treatments

Ambulatory diagnoses and treatments refer to outpatient services, including the following:

Primary care.
Specialty care.
Surgery (including reconstructive or cosmetic operations for disease or trauma).
Mental health.
Substance use.

Hospital Diagnoses and Treatments

Hospital diagnoses and treatments are outpatient services. The coverage under this category is the same as under ambulatory services but with the addition of prescription medications prescribed by a VA physician.

Women's Health Needs

Coverage for women's health needs applies to routine gynecologic services, screening, disease prevention, and other concerns specific to female veterans.

Long-Term Care

Long-term care is a broad class of support services for helping veterans live as safely and independently as they can. It includes:

VA nursing home programs.
Domiciliary care.
Medical foster homes.
State veterans' homes.

Additional Care

VA Health Care may also cover the following services:

Geriatric evaluations.
Geriatrics and extended care.
Adult day care.
Respite care.
Home health care.
Home telehealth.
Hospice and palliative care.
Hearing aids.
Eyeglasses.
Veterans Transportation Service

Understanding In-Home Care Services for Veterans

In-home care is a form of senior assistance whereby a qualified provider delivers essential support to your loved one in their home. While in-home care is beneficial to any senior care recipient, it's especially valuable for veterans because it promotes independence and self-sufficiency — values that service members often develop and internalize through their service to the country.

Several types of in-home care services are available to veterans. At Visiting Angels Asheville, our service offerings include:

Homemaker Home Health Aide Care Program

In addition to the Aid and Attendance benefit, veterans can also qualify for the Homemaker Home Health Aide Care program. Classified under geriatrics and extended care, this program is available to veterans of any age who are currently enrolled in the standard benefits package. This is a very popular program. It allows them to receive assistance with daily activities through third-party providers contracted with the VA. The covered services include:

Eating.
Dressing.
Grooming.
Bathing.
Toileting.
Mobility assistance.

This program is completely paid for by the Veterans Affairs administration. They do pay directly to the agency. There are some restrictions in terms of what the agency can and cannot do regarding some IADLs (instrumental activity of daily living). It is advisable to contact your local VA hospital to ask what the requisites are to be allocated some home-care hours. In our territory, you will need to call the Asheville VA Medical center at 828-298-7911 and ask to speak to a Social Worker.

One of the main advantages of the Homemaker Home Health Aide is that you will be able to have access to homecare without delays.

Aid and Attendance Benefit for Veterans

This is a lesser-known program. It can be combined in addition to the homemaker programs or on a stand alone basis. Veterans who need assistance with daily activities may be eligible for the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit, paid as an additional tax-free sum on top of one's monthly VA pension, covers in-home care from licensed agencies like Visiting Angels, as well as assisted living and other long-term care costs.

The advantages are:

The possibility for a veteran’s spouse to qualify for some Homecare health
Like a private pay customer, some IADLs will be permitted (pet care, transportation, etc)
Assisted living cost coverage

The main disadvantage is a delay of 3 to 6 months between the day you submitted it and the day you qualify for it. To have access to it, you will need to contact your local county Veterans Affairs office. Alternatively, there are some vendors that offer you access to it for a small fee or a percentage of the benefits. Please contact us to learn more about them.

Aid and Attendance Requirements

A veteran, or their surviving spouse, is eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if they've served at least 90 consecutive days during specified wartime periods and possess assets that don't exceed a specific value amount ($150,538 in 2023). In addition, they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

They need the help of another person to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, and dressing.
An illness confines them to bed for a large portion of the day.
They reside in a nursing home due to disability-related loss of mental or physical function.
They have limited eyesight even when using corrective lenses.

To have access to it, you will need to contact your local county Veterans Affairs office. Alternatively, there are some vendors that offer you access to it for a small fee or a percentage of the benefits. Please contact us to learn more.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is a pivotal component of the VA's commitment to supporting the heroes of our nation, acknowledging the vital role family members play in the care and well-being of veterans with serious injuries. This program offers a range of benefits designed to support the physical and emotional health of caregivers, who provide daily, essential care to veterans. These benefits include access to health insurance (if they are not already covered), a stipend to help alleviate the financial burden of caregiving, caregiver training to ensure they have the skills needed to provide comprehensive care, and mental health services to support the emotional well-being of the caregiver.

PCAFC Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility for this program is determined based on the needs of the veteran and the level of care they require, with a specific focus on veterans who have sustained serious injuries (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorders) that occurred in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.

As of October 1, 2022, the program expanded to include eligible veterans from all eras of service, recognizing the timeless value of family caregivers in the veteran community. Applying for this program involves a comprehensive assessment of the veteran's health needs and the caregiver's ability to meet those needs, ensuring a tailored approach to support that honors the dedication of caregivers and the service of veterans alike.

How To Apply Veteran Benefits to In-Home Care

Follow these steps to apply your loved one's veteran benefits to in-home care:

Complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance). This is the document needed to apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit. If your loved one cannot complete the form, their physician may complete it on their behalf.
Submit VA Form 21-2680 to the relevant VA Pension Management Center. Veterans living in North Carolina must mail the form to the Milwaukee office at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
Include supporting documents, including a physician's report that validates your loved one's need for in-home care.

If your loved one wishes to enroll in the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care program, they should contact their VA social worker to make arrangements.

Get the Support Your Loved One Needs in Asheville, North Carolina

Veteran benefits can provide your loved one with the financial support needed to cover their in-home care. We at Visiting Angels encourage you and your loved one to explore these benefits and reach out to a VA representative to confirm eligibility. You can also get in touch with a member of our team who can answer any questions you have about veteran benefits and our personalized home care services by calling or texting 828-665-3944 or filling out our contact form online today.