Top Home Care Agencies in San Diego, CA

Many families rely on private pay options to cover any remaining costs. This includes things like a long-term care insurance policy, health savings account (HSA), retirement savings, personal income, or funds from converting a life insurance policy. Qualifying seniors and adults with disabilities also look for public pay programs to cut down on home care costs. These often come from Medicare and Medicaid. A veteran or spouse of a veteran may qualify for veterans benefits that can be put toward the cost of home care.

Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.

VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.

Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care (LTC) insurance to cover home care costs.

Does Medicare pay for home care in San Diego?

Yes, Medicare pays for home care if it includes medical services prescribed by a doctor.^[01] Home health services range from simple at-home assistance to medical care services provided by a medical professional.

California offers Medicare savings programs that can help with some costs of home care. To be eligible, seniors must meet the income requirements. Seniors and adults with disabilities can apply online through Benefits Cal. The following Medicare savings programs help cover the costs of Medicare Part A and/or Part B premiums:^[02]

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
• Specified Low-Income Beneficiary
• Qualifying Individual
• Qualified Disabled and Working Individual

For assistance accessing these programs, visit the San Diego Area Agency on Aging office. Area agencies on aging can help seniors find a variety of programs to help them remain living at home.

Does Medicaid pay for home care in San Diego?

Yes. Medicaid, known in California as Medi-Cal, can help pay for home care in a couple of ways. One is through the in-home supportive services program (IHSS). IHSS helps pay for home care for eligible seniors or adults who are blind or disabled. Applicants must be eligible for Medi-Cal and complete a health care certification form.

IHSS will send a social worker to assess eligibility, and persons accepted into the program can hire an individual home care provider for care services. IHSS will send checks for provider payments. Individuals can fill in the application for IHSS and submit it to the San Diego county IHSS office.

The IHSS program can provide the following to eligible individuals:^[03]

• Assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing
• Housework
• Laundry
• Meal preparation
• Shopping

San Diego seniors and adults with disabilities can also apply for the home and community-based alternatives (HCBA) waiver. It’s important to note that the HCBA waiver has a waiting list for services. The HCBA waiver provides the following:

• Care management services provided by a care management team (CMT) that includes a nurse and social worker
• State plan services coordinated by the CMT, including medical, behavioral health, and in-home supportive services
• Arrangements for long-term services and supports in the individual’s community

California provides additional Medicaid assistance for seniors through their local Area Agencies on Aging office. The San Diego Aging and Independence office has a variety of helpful programs that can benefit seniors as they age in place.

Where do I get information about veterans benefits in San Diego?

Veterans or the surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible for disability benefits that can help pay for home care. Many eligible veterans may not know the full number of benefits they’re eligible for or confused by the application process, which can be lengthy. However, benefits counseling can make the process easier. Counselors are available through the VA or through veterans service organizations (VSOs).

The following veterans service organizations in San Diego can help veterans understand which benefits they may be eligible for.

San Diego County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs
5055 Ruffin Rd
San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: 1-866-726-8831

San Diego Veterans Resource Center
San Diego Central Library, room 316
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-236-5800

San Diego VA Regional Benefit Office
8810 Rio San Diego Drive
San Diego, CA 92108

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
8810 Rio San Diego Drive, #1122
San Diego, CA 92108

Phone: 619-400-5322

Email: scott.mckee1@va.gov

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
VA Regional Office
8810 Rio San Diego Drive, Ste 1160
San Diego, CA 92108

Phone: 619-299-6916

American Legion Post 460
7815 Armour Street
San Diego, CA 92111

Phone: 858-277-1052

California also has a veteran services program called CalVet. This program encourages low-income veterans to transition from Medi-Cal to CalVet’s Veterans Benefit Enhancement Program (VBE). The VBE is part of VA health care and offers some benefits that Medi-Cal doesn’t, including specialized care, coverage outside of California, and mailed prescriptions.

As you review home care agencies, certain factors are important to consider. You’ll want to look into how a home care agency hires their caregivers, and what requirements they have for them. It’s also key to research whether the home care agency is licensed and accredited. Also, each agency may assess care fees slightly differently, which may affect your selection process. Comparing these aspects of home care agencies below can help you as you choose an option.

Licensure and accreditation

Home care agencies in California are licensed through California’s Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division in the Home Care Services branch. Home care organizations must be licensed as part of California’s Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act.

To be licensed, home care organizations must meet the following requirements:^[04]

• File the home care organization application
• Pay required licensing fees
• Submit proof of liability insurance of at least one million dollars
• Submit proof of employee theft insurance
• Have the owner of the agency submit to a background check
• Provide a list of associated home care aides

In California, accreditation is voluntary for home care agencies. However, you’ll find that many home care organizations do hold an accreditation to show their commitment to a high standard of care. Common accreditation agencies used by home care agencies in San Diego include The Joint Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.

Hiring practices

Licensed San Diego home care agencies must provide training for the home care aides they hire. They must also make sure that home care aides meet the necessary requirements to maintain their license. These requirements include the following:^[05]

• Testing prospective home care aides for tuberculosis within seven days of starting employment
• Reviewing the home care aide’s criminal offender record
• Providing the necessary entry level and ongoing training for home care aides

Additionally, home care aides will need to register as a home care aide through California’s Department of Social Services. You can look up a home care aide through California’s home care aide online registry.

Fees and minimums

Many San Diego home care agencies use an hourly rate to calculate the cost of care to clients. However, sometimes home care agencies have minimum hourly requirements or additional fees. Ask about the following topics to make sure you have an accurate understanding of how much care will cost:

• Hourly minimums that caregivers may be required to work
• Rates for overnight or weekend care
• Whether the agency charges for a care assessment or consultation
• Whether the agency requires a deposit to start receiving care

Other questions to ask San Diego home care agencies

Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.