Projections for the cost of home health care services show the average hourly rate in 2010 will tick up 2.5 percent over 2009's rate, according to new data from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
The average hourly rate for a home health aide this year is $20.50, and costs vary by location.
It's estimated about 7.5 million individuals currently receive extended periods of care at home because of acute illness, permanent disability or long-term health conditions. AALTCI reports the nation's annual cost for care in 2010 is projected to exceed $59 billion.
"People clearly prefer to receive care in their own home but the cost can be expensive," said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance in a statement.
AALTCI estimates a year of ongoing in-home care can easily exceed $35,000, and 42 percent of individuals who currently receive long-term care insurance benefits get their care at home.
Medicare is the largest single payer of home health services for seniors accounting for approximately 37 percent of home health expenditures according to the National Association of Home Care & Hospice. "However, long-term care needs are typically limited or not covered by government or state programs," Slome notes. "As a result, over eight million Americans have purchased long-term care insurance protection on an individual basis or through their employer."
AALTCI has provided estimated costs for home health aides and homemaker service providers for leading metropolitan areas:
| Home care - Average per hour cost | ||
| City | Home Health Aide | Homemaker |
| Atlanta | $21 | $18 |
| Baltimore | $23 | $20 |
| Boston | $28 | $23 |
| Chicago | $23 | $18 |
| Denver | $25 | $22 |
| Dallas | $17 | $17 |
| Kansas City, Mo. | $20 | $17 |
| Los Angeles | $23 | $18 |
| Miami | $17 | $16 |
| New York | $18 | $17 |
| Seattle | $24 | $21 |
| Source: 2010 Cost of Care Study, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance |
A more comprehensive listing can be found on the organization's Web site at aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/.
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