Top Home Care Agencies in Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque residents often first think to use private or public health insurance (like Medicaid or Medicare) to cover some health-related home care services. However, health insurance typically only covers medical services. Therefore, nonmedical home care services may not be covered unless it’s a component of medically necessary at-home care.

Individuals in Albuquerque typically use their personal funds from income, savings, retirement funds, and health savings accounts (HSAs) to cover their home care costs. Depending on circumstances, some families may be able to free up funds from a reverse mortgage, life insurance policies, or long-term care insurance. Qualifying individuals may also turn to benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicare, or Medicaid.

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 insurance to cover home care costs.

Does Medicare pay for home care in Albuquerque?

Yes, Medicare can partially pay for home care services in Albuquerque if they’re a medically necessary part of at-home medical care. This medical care must be prescribed by a doctor to treat illness or injury and provided by a Medicare-certified home health care provider for services to be covered. Home care services without a medical necessity may not be covered by Medicare.

Does Medicaid pay for home care in Albuquerque?

Yes, New Mexico’s Medicaid program — Centennial Care — offers a Community Benefit Program that can cover some home care services in Albuquerque. For nonmedical home care services to be covered, they must be a part of medically necessary home care services prescribed by a physician.

For the first 120 days, you must work with an agency-based home care agency, which is a provider contracted with your managed care organization (MCO). After the 120 days, you may switch to Self-Directed, which enables an individual more flexibility with their care and budget.^[01]

What other Albuquerque services help seniors age in place?

To help seniors age in place, Albuquerque offers a few programs:

• New Mexico SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) employs counselors who offer free and unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries. They can help beneficiaries and their families understand their benefits, compare costs, and navigate enrollment.
• The City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) helps seniors with care coordination, meal service, transportation, and in-home services. They also offer caregiver support services and legal services.

Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque veterans and their spouses can reach out to the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS) to get information on their potential home care veterans benefits. Your nearest veterans service office employs service officers who can help you access your eligible benefits. Use the NMDVS search to find an office or use the contact information below.

Ron Saavedra, veterans service officer
500 Gold Ave. SW, Ste. 3107
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Phone: 505-479-0672

Email: ron.saavedra@dvs.nm.gov

Veterans service office
4801 Indian School Rd., NE, Bldg. 2, Ste. 2
Albuquerque, NM 87110

Phone: 505-383-2400

These veterans service offices can help veterans get in touch with other veterans service organizations (VSOs) in the area as well, such as the following:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• American Legion

Albuquerque home care agencies vary in what they offer, so we encourage families to investigate home care agencies in their area before they choose. Use the information below to learn about potential agencies’ licensure, accreditation, hiring practices, fees, and minimum care requirements.

Additionally, if you or your loved one needs medical or skilled nursing services, make sure to thoroughly investigate the services offered by prospective home care agencies and talk to your doctor or social worker. They can help you understand your loved one’s full care needs and ensure an agency can meet them.

Knowing the type of care needed and all of the information below on New Mexico’s home care agency requirements can help you confidently choose a care agency.

Licensure and accreditation

In New Mexico, nonmedical home care agencies are not licensed by a state agency, but home care agencies offering medical care are. The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) licenses and regulates home care agencies offering medical care and skilled nursing. The HCA monitors hiring practices and services to help enforce quality standards.

To view survey reports of a specific home care agency in New Mexico, residents can use the Health Care Provider Search and search for agencies by city. Information includes licensure dates and any violations they’ve had. For additional information not found on the search, you can call the Health Facility Licensing Bureau at 505-476-9047 and inquire about a specific agency.

Oftentimes, home care agencies or in-home caregivers are registered with nationally recognized associations or an accrediting agency, meaning they’re held to that organization’s standard. Be sure to ask a prospective agency about any associations they’re a part of or accreditations they’ve received.

Hiring practices

Because nonmedical home care agencies in New Mexico don’t require licensure, there are no mandatory hiring practices for in-home caregivers in New Mexico. Most successful home care agencies hold themselves to a market standard, so they often set forth their own requirements to remain competitive in their state. Some of those hiring practices may include:

• Criminal background checks for caregivers
• Required caregiver certifications or training programs
• On-the-job caregiver training
• Annual caregiver training to stay up-to-date with current practices

Be sure to ask your prospective home care agencies specific questions about their hiring and vetting process, so you can be confident about the caregiving your loved one will receive.

Fees and minimums

Some Albuquerque home care agencies may have fees and minimums outside of their standard hourly cost. To be prepared, be sure to ask an agency about the following:

• Cost of an initial needs assessment (sometimes free)
• Deposits or upfront fees
• Minimum hours of care required
• Varying overnight, holiday, or weekend rates
• Minimum age requirement to receive care

Other questions to ask Albuquerque home care agencies

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