Paying for Care

The type and level of care depend on the needs of the individual and the payer of services. Some individuals are covered by:

Medicare
Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid
Private Insurance Coverage
Out-of-Pocket for Payments

Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Navigating coverage for care can feel overwhelming for caregivers. The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) offers free, independent benefits counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

Call: (800) 252-8966; 711 (TRS)
Email: AGING.SHIP@illinois.gov.

Medicare
Medicare is a national health insurance program for:

People aged 65 or older
People with permanent kidney failure
People who receive Disability benefits.

Medicare has four parts:

1. Part A - Hospital Insurance

2. Part B - Medical Insurance

3. Part C - Medicare Advantage

4. Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage

Individuals sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration.

Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program offering health insurance to eligible individuals based on income and assets. There are different coverage groups for different populations.

Medicaid covers ~300,000 older Illinoisans
Supports ~60% of nursing facility stays.

Learn more about eligibility and coverage.

Private Health Insurance
Individuals may have private health insurance coverage from an employer or another source. Check with your plan for the details of coverage.

Paying Caregivers
Caregiver payment depends on the source of coverage:

Agency-employed caregivers: Agencies handle background checks, training, and supervision.
Direct-hire caregivers: You may hire caregivers independently.
Family caregivers: Some programs allow family or friends to be paid for in-home care.

Learn more about your caregiver payment options.