Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides healthcare coverage to low-income people. For people who meet certain criteria, Medicaid can cover home care services. According to the Home Care Association of New York State, more than 200,000 people in New York participate in multiple long-term care (MLTC) plans under contract with home care agencies.
An increasing number of people across the five boroughs—Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—need an MLTC plan. We’ll explore how enrolling in one can benefit your home care journey.
What Are MLTC Plans?
To start receiving home care services from New York Medicaid, you’ll need to enroll in an MLTC plan. MLTC is a form of Medicaid insurance meant for the elderly or people with disabilities that offers long-term benefits like home care. This type of plan covers services that help you stay at home and maintain your independence, including personal care, caregiver support, and assistance with daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, and preparing food).
MLTC is designed for older adults and people with long-lasting health conditions who want to stay in their homes and communities. MLTC is a lifeline for many New Yorkers who need help with everyday tasks, keeping them out of nursing homes and in familiar surroundings.
How Does MLTC Work?
To truly understand how MLTC works, let’s examine the first letter: -M. -M stands for “managed.” This means people enrolled in an MLTC plan must select a licensed home care provider. Medicaid pays home care agencies to give clients the services they need to stay home. Choosing an agency equipped to meet your home care needs connects you to a range of services designed to prevent you from going to a long-term facility like a nursing home.
People who get home care services through an MLTC plan have the added benefit of keeping their healthcare coverage outside the scope of MLTC. This allows you to continue seeing your existing medical team without any gaps in care.
How Can MLTC Benefit Me?
Medicaid MLTC offers numerous advantages for seniors and people with chronic illnesses who need extra help at home. Some of the benefits home care agencies provide to you under an MLTC plan include:
- Home Care: You can receive personal care, home health assistance, and Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) support
- Medical Transportation: A medical transportation companion helps you get to and from doctor’s appointments or procedures
- Medical Devices and Supplies: You can get coverage for the medical equipment and supplies that keep you safe.
MLTC is a vital resource offered by Medicaid insurance. Under an MLTC plan, clients get the care they need from one place—home.
