How much does in-home care cost per hour near me?

What our numbers show

Our home care pages show the typical hourly wage for home health and personal care aides near a ZIP code. The numbers come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the metro area.

This is what aides earn. It is not what an agency charges. Agencies charge more than the wage to cover payroll taxes, insurance, training, scheduling and their own costs. We don't have an official figure for how much more, so ask each agency for its rate.

For an example, see home care near ZIP 85004 in Phoenix.

Does Medicare pay for home care?

Medicare does not pay for help with daily living alone, like bathing, dressing and meals. It can pay for part-time home health care from a nurse or therapist when a doctor orders it and your parent is homebound. Read does Medicare cover home care? and does Medicare cover home health?.

Other ways families pay

Medicaid may pay for care at home for people who qualify. Each state runs its own programs. Veterans benefits and long-term care insurance may also help. Many families pay out of pocket. Read what Medicare and Medicaid pay for.

Questions to ask each agency

What is your hourly rate, and is there a minimum number of hours per visit or per week? Do rates change for nights, weekends or holidays?

Are your aides employees of the agency? Do you check their backgrounds and train them? Who supervises them, and who do I call if an aide can't come?

Is the agency licensed in our state? Our home care pages show state license lists for the states that publish them.

Checklist

• Look up the aide wage near your parent's ZIP code on PlanScout.
• Ask at least two agencies for their hourly rate in writing.
• Ask about minimum hours and night or weekend rates.
• Check if the agency is licensed in your state.
• Ask your parent's doctor if home health care is an option.

Common questions