Paying for Care Management
How much do you charge for your services?
We do not require a retainer, and our fee-based service is a flat hourly rate, which we bill bimonthly. You pay only for the time that you used. We do as much or as little as is needed. We strive to be the most objective of providers, and do not accept compensation from any of our referral sources. Services arranged or contracted from other providers are based on their fee schedules.
Will insurance cover the cost of care management services?
Medicare, Medicaid and supplemental insurances do not cover care management services. We do, however, work with a variety of long-term care insurance providers to obtain the maximum benefit available to our clients who have this insurance.
How do you bill and charge for services?
Prior to signing an agreement to provide services, you will be presented with such details as to frequency of billing, how communication is charged (calls, emails, texts), charges for travel, crisis services, and/or any other incidental costs (including out-of-pocket expenses). Ask about these matters at the initial conference and ask for them in writing, so there will be no surprises. If you don’t understand, ask again. If you need clarification, say so. It is very important that you feel comfortable regarding your financial obligations.
Do the services you provide save me money?
Yes! Here are ten ways that care management can save you money:
- Matching appropriate services to assessed needs results in creating a road map with a solid plan of action which reduces duplication of services and trial and error.
- Maximizing the client’s entitlements, benefits, and other resources through an extensive knowledge of social benefits, insurance, and senior services about which the average layperson may not be familiar.
- Lowering the risk of falls and accidents by conducting home safety evaluations, recommending safety equipment, and Emergency Monitoring Systems (EMRs such as Life Alert). Immediate notification of a health crisis noted by the EMR system could mean the difference between life and death. Also, falls increase care expenses, even in the short run.
- Reconciling medications and treatments to potentially eliminate unnecessary medication, thereby lowering the monthly copayment expenses. Sometimes clients take medications improperly, which can also bring on health crises.
- Lowering risks of financial abuse, senior scams, and other fraud. We are trained to look out for these potential threats.
- Slowing rate of decline means care costs are lower in the long run.
- Offering knowledge of resources of home care agencies, medical practitioners, and other service providers tailored to the client’s needs allows caregivers to not have to have to wade through multiple options, saving them time.
- Promoting a healthy diet for our clients by bringing in higher quality food at lower prices vs. takeout and fast food helps ensure continued health.
- Being close by when a client needs help eliminates the need for family members to make last-minute trips for emergencies, leading to a dreaded marathon of crisis management. Instead, the long-distance family caregiver can make planned, quality family visit, resulting in cheaper airfares, shorter hotel stays, fewer care rentals, and less time off from work, etc.
- Utilizing the help of a care manager means less health and financial burden on family caregivers. For the family caregiver, this can also help avoid loss of wages, decreased social security benefits, and help to relieve the potential negative health impact and stress that can occur.