Does Medicaid Cover In-Home Care in Nebraska?

Many families in Nebraska ask the same question:

“Will Medicaid help pay for care at home?”

The answer is yes. Nebraska Medicaid may help pay for in-home care through a program called the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, also known as the Aged & Disabled (AD) Waiver.

This program helps seniors and adults with disabilities stay safely at home instead of moving into a nursing home.

For many families, understanding Medicaid can feel confusing at first. There are applications, assessments, and different rules that can make the process stressful. But learning how the program works can help families feel more prepared when looking for care options.

What Is the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver?

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver helps people receive care while living at home or in their community instead of in a nursing facility.

The goal of the program is simple:
Help people stay independent and remain in familiar surroundings for as long as possible.

Services may include:

Help with bathing and dressing
Meal preparation
Housekeeping
Companion care
Respite care for family caregivers
Transportation
Emergency response systems

These services can make everyday life easier for seniors and adults who need extra support.

To qualify, a person must:

Be age 65 or older, or have a disability
Qualify for Medicaid
Need help with daily activities

(Eligibility Form)

Each person’s situation is different, so the amount of approved care may vary depending on their needs.

A Story From One Nebraska Family

One client living in a senior apartment reached out for help after being denied for the waiver in the past.

She felt nervous about applying again.

She needed help around the home, but she worried she would get denied another time. Daily tasks were becoming harder, and she was feeling overwhelmed trying to manage everything on her own.

With support and guidance, she decided to try again.

The process included:

Completing the application
Gathering paperwork
Meeting with the state for a level-of-care assessment
Explaining the support she needed each day

After the assessment was completed, she was approved for 32 hours of care each week through Medicaid.

Soon after, she was matched with a caregiver who has now been working with her for the past six months.

Having regular support helped her feel safer, more comfortable, and less stressed in her daily life. She no longer felt like she had to figure everything out alone.

Stories like this show how important it is for families to understand their options and have support during the Medicaid process. Fill out a form at Patron Senior Livingto get support like this for your loved one.

Medicaid vs Medicare

Many people confuse Medicaid and Medicare, but they are different programs.

Medicaid

Medicaid may help cover long-term in-home care and support services for people who qualify financially and medically.

Medicare

Medicare usually covers short-term medical care, such as:

Hospital visits
Therapy services
Recovery after surgery or illness

Medicare normally does not cover ongoing non-medical home care like housekeeping, meal preparation, or companionship.

Understanding the difference between the two programs can help families better plan for long-term care needs.

Why In-Home Care Matters

Many older adults want to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

Being at home allows people to:

Stay close to family
Keep their daily routines
Feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings
Maintain a sense of independence

In-home care can also help reduce stress for family caregivers by providing extra support with daily tasks.

For many families, having help at home can improve both safety and quality of life.