Cooperative Home Care & the Department of Health and Senior Services
Cooperative Home Care is an approved and contracted provider of in-home service for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. In-home services are designed to help older adults, and individuals of all ages with disabilities, live independently in their homes and communities, as opposed to living in and receiving care in a facility such as a nursing home.
With more than 20 years of experience, Cooperative Home Care is an expert in facilitating this application process. We stay current with updated regulations and requirements. Call 1-800-HOMECARE (in MO) to see if you qualify for any of these services.
Types of Services
Cooperative Home Care provides the following service funded by Medicaid (Missouri HealthNet) through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Home and Community Based Program:
- Personal Care
- Advanced Personal Care (any care required for an altered body function)
- Household Chores
- Respite Care (to provide relief for primary caregivers)
- Nursing Visits
Who Is Eligible?
The Home and Community Based Program (HCB) services are available to individuals who meet qualifying criteria. You or your family members are eligible for HCB services if you or they,
- are 63 years of age or older, and
- have a monthly income at or below the current limit ($1,088 as of January 1, 2007)
- need the level of care that would be provided in a nursing facility
- meet other eligibility requirements outlined under “Missouri HealthNet for the Aged, Blind and Disabled”
Special Provision for Married Couples
In the case of a married couple, both living in their own domicile, where one spouse wants HCB program services and the other spouse does not, there is a special provision that protects a portion of the couple’s assets for the spouse that does not want HCB program services. This provision is covered in the “Prevention of Spousal Impoverishment” section in “Missouri HealthNet for the Aged, Blind and Disabled.”
Eligibility Assessment
Cooperative Home Care will help you with the details of eligibility assessment for HCB programs. In general, you or your family members will be assessed for both financial and functional (physical and health status) eligibility for HCB assistance.
- Financial eligibility—the Missouri Family Support Division determines financial eligibility for any Medicaid (Missouri HealthNet) funded programs. Income limits may be adjusted annually and there is a “spend down” provision that helps some individuals qualify whose incomes are higher than the income limit.
- Functional eligibility—an evaluation must be completed to determine if you or your family members meet the physical, health status and functional requirements to qualify for the HCB program that best meets your needs. Some programs require medical documentation to support your assessment.
The caring experts at Cooperative Home Care will help you with more information and the application process for Missouri HealthNet coverage of Home and Community Based services. Call us at 1-800-HOMECARE (in Missouri) for more information.