Medicare Caregiver Resources
Exploring Medicare Options For Someone Else
Helping someone else make decisions about Medicare and their healthcare needs can be challenging. But we can help. For guidance that’s geared toward the needs of loved ones considering Medicare, choose one of the following options that best describes their situation.
Currently Have Original Medicare Only
Eligible For Medicare And Medicaid
Comparing Anthem's Medicare plan types and their benefits can also help you and your loved ones understand options that might be a good fit.
Additional Caregiver Resources
When caring for someone considering Medicare, you will need to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to respond to their needs, providing them with the best quality of life possible. Fortunately for you, these caregiver articles can help you navigate the process.
You can also learn more about the expanded care and benefits Anthem is offering members related to COVID-19.
Taking advantage of resources in your community can be very helpful. We recommend using the Family Caregiver Alliance’s Family Care Navigator to locate caregiver support in your state. Select your state, and then choose “Services for Care Recipients Living at Home” to start your search.
Add A Caregiver To An Anthem Member Account
If you're providing care and support to someone with an Anthem Medicare plan, you can be added as a caregiver to their account. This enables you to access that person's care online. You can find doctors and hospitals, manage medications, and pay bills on behalf of the person for whom you're caring.
Have the member log in, select Profile, select Privacy & Access, and then select Add a Caregiver. Complete and submit the online form.
Managing Finances
You may be wondering about the financial impact of caregiving. Here are some common caregiving expenses:
- Medical needs
- Household expenses
- Personal care items
- Travel and legal fees
- Paid help
In some cases, you may qualify for assistance or payment for caregiver services and expenses. Making a list of your expenses and resources can help you create a realistic budget.
In general, Medicare doesn't cover expenses for in-home caregivers to provide personal care and housekeeping, if medical care isn't needed. Medicare does cover short-term caregiving expenses if someone needs medical care following a surgery, illness, or injury.
Medicare also typically covers short-term home health services if a doctor prescribes care for a person who is homebound. This includes services such as skilled nursing care, and physical or occupational therapy. Plus, there are Medicare Advantage plans that include extras such as meal deliveries, home helpers, and transportation1 to doctor appointments.
SOURCE: https://www.healthline.com/health/medicare/can-medicare-pay-for-a-caregiver
Legal Matters
From power of attorney to living wills, becoming a caregiver comes with legal considerations. It's a good idea to contact an attorney or advocacy group to you navigate these complicated issues.
Extra Help
Not all caregiving situations require constant or live-in care. Maybe your loved one needs extra help with housecleaning, getting dressed, and bathing. If possible, consider hiring someone who can help with these tasks, so that you don't have to do it all on your own.
Ianacare
You can download a mobile app, Ianacare*, to help enlist support from your own community of friends, family, and contacts to coordinate the daily caregiving tasks.
findhelp
For help outside your social network, findhelp offers a simple search tool for locating free- or reduced-cost services for items such as medical care and food in your community.
*Ianacare is not owned by Anthem and Anthem makes no representations or warranties of any kind, as to the operation of the Ianacare service, its content, or materials, including but not limited to the privacy or security, of the Ianacare application.
Practicing Self-Care
Caregiving is noble but it's not without challenges. If you feel overwhelmed, consider hiring a home health aide – even if it's for one day a month – so you can take time for yourself. Or ask local rehabilitation and nursing centers if they can provide expert, short-term respite stays to give you a much-needed break. You can also see if a family member or friend will fill in for you when you need a day off.
It can help to join an online or in-person caregiver group or even start your own. These groups provide an outlet for expressing your feelings and finding the support you need.
Additional Resources
Many organizations offer help and support for managing your responsibilities. Here are just a few of them:
Help for Cancer Caregivers
Support specifically designed for those caring for cancer patients, but many of the resources can apply to all caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Education and directories for caregivers and is also a national voice for caregiving policies and advocacy.
Alzheimer's Association
Works on a global, national, and local level to provide care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
The Caregiver Action Network
A place to connect with other caregivers through a peer forum and story-sharing platform, as well as a family caregiver toolbox and more.
Connect with the Caregiver Action Network
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare Contract in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin, offer HMO, HMO D-SNP, HMO C-SNP, HMO I-SNP, LPPO, LPPO D-SNP and/or RPPO. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers PDP plans in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO D-SNP and LPPO D-SNP plans contract with state Medicaid programs. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions, a Medicare Organization with a Medicare Contract in New York, offers LPPO plans. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions plans depend on contract renewal.