What Medicare covers, and what it doesn't
Medicare covers home health care for people who are homebound and need part-time or intermittent skilled care. It does not cover 24-hour care at home, homemaker services unrelated to the care plan, or personal care with daily activities such as bathing and dressing when that is the only care a person needs. Most ongoing help at home is therefore paid another way.
Private pay
Many families pay for home care themselves, by the hour, by the visit or for live-in care. For Tinash home care, see the payment note in the "How Tinash can help" box below, and ask us about the schedule and cost for your situation.
Long-term care insurance
If your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, read it or call the insurer and ask what kinds of care and caregivers it covers, whether there is a waiting period before benefits start, and how claims are filed.
NJ FamilyCare and MLTSS
New Jersey's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) helps seniors and people with disabilities who have NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) live at home. Services are delivered through the person's NJ FamilyCare managed care organization, so ask the health plan which home care agencies are in its network.
JACC, a state program for adults 60+
Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is a state-funded program offering in-home and community services for adults 60 and older who need a nursing facility level of care and want to stay at home. Applications go through your county Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). Call the statewide ADRC line, 1-877-222-3737, or your county office.
DDD services for adults with developmental disabilities
Adults 21 and older found eligible by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities receive a yearly budget for services such as Individual Supports, Community-Based Supports and respite. Those services are paid from the DDD budget, not by the family.
GUIDE respite for people living with dementia
People with Original Medicare who are aligned to a GUIDE participant may qualify for a respite benefit with an annual dollar cap, at no charge to the family. See our GUIDE eligibility guide for the rules.
Official sources
Program rules change. Check these official pages for the current details. Last reviewed 14 October 2026.