Respite care provides short-term relief for caregivers. It can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Respite care can happen at home, at an adult day program, or in a hospital, nursing facility, or hospice house. It gives the caregiver a break so you can rest, run errands, travel, or spend time with others while your loved one continues to receive safe, attentive care.
Medicare
For original Medicare (Part A), respite care is covered only under the hospice benefit. Medicare will pay for up to five consecutive days of inpatient respite care at a time, in a Medicare-approved hospital, skilled nursing facility, or inpatient hospice facility. Medicare does not cover the full cost and requires you to pay the remaining 5 percent. However, your costs cannot exceed the yearly inpatient hospital deductible. These respite stays can be repeated as often as needed while your loved one remains eligible for hospice, though at least one full day must pass between stays. Learn more by reaching out to 1-800-MEDICARE or their live chat.
One exception is the Medicare GUIDE program, which provides respite care to caregivers of loved ones with dementia.
Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services
Medicaid coverage for respite care depends on the state in which you live. Most respite benefits are offered through Home and Community-Based Services waivers rather than through standard Medicaid. Because these services are provided at the state level, the best source is to contact your state Medicaid agency and ask about respite services.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Many long-term care policies include a respite benefit designed to give unpaid caregivers a break. The benefit often pays for a specific number of days per year. Your plan’s coverage will determine whether the care happens in the home, an adult day program, or a nursing facility. Reach out to your long-term care insurance provider for coverage details, including costs, as it varies by policy.
Veterans
VA Healthcare offers respite care to eligible veterans to help their family caregivers. It can be delivered in the veteran’s home, in an adult day health setting, or in a VA or VA-approved community facility. Veterans can generally receive up to 30 days of respite care per calendar year. Reach out to the caregiver support coordinator at your local VA medical center to learn more.
Other Programs That Can Help Pay
- Your local Area Agency on Aging can often connect you with community respite grants, vouchers, or sliding scale programs that are not widely advertised.
- Some disease-specific organizations offer respite grants for families caring for a loved one with a particular diagnosis, so it is always worth asking your care team what is available in your area.