How to Pay for Home Care in Deerfield, IL
Updated October 2026, Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven RN BSN
Most families in Deerfield and the North Shore pay for non-medical home care through private funds, long-term care insurance, or both. Medicare does not pay for ongoing personal or companion care at home. Veterans benefits and Illinois aging programs can help some families, but each has its own eligibility rules. This guide explains each option and how to get started.
Companion Services of America accepts private pay and long-term care insurance. Call our Deerfield office at (847) 948-0860 for a free, no-obligation assessment. We can review your care needs and your payment options together.
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Payment options at a glance
Payment source | Can it help pay for non-medical home care? | Where to start |
Private pay (savings, income, family support) | Yes | Call us for a written estimate |
Long-term care insurance | Often, once the policy’s benefit triggers and waiting period are met | Call your insurer, then call us |
Medicare | No, not for ongoing personal or companion care | Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE |
VA Pension with Aid and Attendance | Can add monthly income that families use toward care | VA, or an accredited Veterans Service Officer |
Illinois Community Care Program (Medicaid waiver) | Yes, for eligible adults 60+ through approved providers | Illinois Senior HelpLine, 1-800-252-8966 |
Tax deductions, HSA or FSA funds | Some care costs may qualify | A tax professional |
What Medicare does and doesn’t cover
This is the most common misunderstanding we hear.
Medicare does not pay for:
- 24-hour care at home
- Personal care, such as bathing or dressing, when that is the only care needed
- Companion care, homemaker services, or meal preparation
Medicare may cover part-time, intermittent home health services when the person is homebound, a doctor orders the care, and a Medicare-certified home health agency provides it. Examples include skilled nursing or physical therapy after a hospital stay. That benefit is short-term and medical.
Companion Services of America does not bill Medicare. Many families use our non-medical care alongside Medicare-covered home health, or after it ends.
Medicare Advantage plans sometimes offer limited in-home support benefits. These vary by plan and county, so check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
Tax breaks and pre-tax accounts
Some home care costs may be tax-deductible as medical expenses. This can apply when the care is a qualified long-term care service for someone who is chronically ill, under a plan of care from a licensed health care practitioner. Deductions apply only if you itemize, and only above a percentage of income.
Other options to ask about:
- Health Savings Account (HSA) funds may cover qualified long-term care services.
- Dependent care accounts or credits may apply when you pay for care of a parent you claim as a dependent.
Rules change and depend on your situation. Talk with a tax professional before you count on a deduction.
Private pay
Most home care in Illinois is paid privately. Families use savings, retirement income, pensions, or contributions from adult children. Some combine private pay with insurance once a policy’s waiting period ends.
With private pay you choose the schedule. Care can be a few hours a week, overnight, or 24 hours a day, and the plan can change as needs change.
For a planning benchmark, the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey lists the Illinois median for non-medical in-home care at $36 per hour. See our Deerfield cost of home care guide for sample monthly budgets. Your actual rate depends on hours, schedule, and the level of care, so ask us for a written estimate.
Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance is one of the most common ways Deerfield families fund in-home care. Many policies pay for help with daily activities at home, not just care in a facility.
How benefits usually start
Most policies begin paying once all of these are true:
- A benefit trigger is met. Usually the person needs help with at least two activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, or continence. Severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease, also typically qualifies. A licensed health care practitioner certifies the need.
- The elimination period has passed. This is the waiting period before benefits begin, often 30 to 100 days. Ask whether your policy counts calendar days or only days you receive paid care.
- The provider qualifies under the policy. Many policies require care from a licensed home care agency.
What to ask your insurer
- Is home care covered, and what is the daily or monthly maximum?
- Has the elimination period started, and how are days counted?
- Does the policy reimburse you, or pay the agency directly?
- What paperwork do you need: a plan of care, invoices, caregiver time records?
- Does the policy have a lifetime maximum or a set number of benefit years?
How we help with claims
We provide the documentation insurers typically request, including care plans and itemized invoices.
Veterans Benefits
VA Pension with Aid and Attendance
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for an added monthly payment called Aid and Attendance. It’s paid on top of the VA pension. The VA pays this benefit to the veteran or spouse, who can use it toward private-pay home care.
Eligibility depends on military service dates, income and net worth limits, and medical need. Processing can take several months, so it’s worth applying early.
Where to start: call the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or contact an accredited Veterans Service Officer. Illinois veterans can also contact the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Accredited help is free.
VA health care home services
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may qualify for homemaker and home health aide services that the VA arranges through approved community providers. Ask your VA primary care team or social worker.
Illinois Community Care Program
The Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program (CCP) helps adults 60 and older stay at home instead of moving to a nursing home. Services can include in-home aide support, adult day services, and emergency home response.
To qualify, a person must:
- Be an Illinois resident age 60 or older
- Meet the program’s asset limits
- Need the level of care the program covers, measured by a Determination of Need assessment
- Apply for Medicaid if eligible
The program works through local care coordination units and approved provider agencies.
Where to start: call the Illinois Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966. In Lake County, the local Area Agency on Aging can also connect you with care coordination. The Deerfield-area township offices listed on our Deerfield page offer benefits assistance too.
Companion Services of America is not a Community Care Program provider. Families on CCP sometimes add private-pay hours with us to fill gaps in their schedule.
Other resources families use
- Life insurance. Some policies offer accelerated benefits for chronic illness or have cash value you can borrow against.
- Home equity. Some older homeowners use a reverse mortgage or home equity line to fund care.
- Annuities or hybrid life and long-term care policies.
These are major financial decisions. Speak with a licensed financial or elder law professional first.
How to get started
- Call our Deerfield office at (847) 948-0860. We’ll schedule a free in-home assessment.
- Gather your documents: insurance policies, VA paperwork, and a list of current medications and providers.
- Contact your long-term care insurer to open a claim and confirm the elimination period.
- Get a written estimate from us based on the hours and level of care you need.
- Start care. We’ll provide the invoices and care documentation your insurer requires.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for home care in Illinois? Not for ongoing non-medical care. Medicare does not pay for personal care, companion care, or 24-hour care when that is the only care needed. It may cover short-term skilled home health care that a doctor orders from a Medicare-certified agency.
Will long-term care insurance pay for in-home care? Many policies do, once the benefit triggers are met and the elimination period has passed. Call your insurer to confirm your coverage, then call us. We’ll provide the documentation insurers typically request.
Can I use VA benefits to pay for home care in Deerfield? Possibly. The VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly income for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses, and families can use it toward private-pay care. An accredited Veterans Service Officer can help you apply at no cost.
Does Illinois Medicaid cover home care? The Illinois Community Care Program covers in-home services for eligible adults 60 and older through approved providers. Call the Illinois Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 to start the screening.
How much does home care cost in Deerfield? The 2025 CareScout survey lists the Illinois median at $36 per hour for non-medical in-home care. See our cost guide for sample monthly budgets, or call for a written estimate.
Talk with our Deerfield team.
Call (847) 948-0860 for a free assessment and a clear estimate. We serve Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest, Evanston, and nearby North Shore communities.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage and eligibility depend on your specific policy and situation. Confirm details with your insurer, the VA, Medicare, or a qualified professional.
