Hudson Valley Senior AdvisorWhich programs pay for home care in Dutchess and Orange counties?
The main ones are Medicaid Managed Long Term Care plans, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, the Offices for the Aging's EISEP program for people who are not on Medicaid, Medicare-covered home health visits, long-term care insurance and private pay.
Each has its own door. Medicaid home care needs an assessment through the New York Independent Assessor (855-222-8350); EISEP starts with a call to the county Office for the Aging; Medicare home health starts with a doctor's order.
How does CDPAP work now?
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program lets a Medicaid recipient hire, train and direct their own aide, who can be a relative other than a spouse or designated representative, and since 2025 every participant statewide is served by a single fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL).
The change caused delays in paychecks and paperwork in its first months. If a family member is paid through CDPAP, keep copies of timesheets and the PPL enrollment confirmation, and ask the Medicaid plan in writing how many hours are authorized.
What is EISEP, and who can use it?
EISEP, the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program, provides case management and non-medical home care to people 60 and older who need help with daily activities and are not eligible for Medicaid, with a cost share based on income.
In Dutchess call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555; in Orange, (845) 615-3700. Waiting lists depend on funding and aide availability, so ask early.
What does Medicare's home health benefit add?
For a homebound patient under a doctor's plan, Medicare pays a certified home health agency for intermittent nursing, therapy and some aide visits at no cost, usually after a hospital stay or a change in condition.
It is time-limited and focused on recovery, so it rarely solves the need for daily help on its own. Families often use it as a bridge while a Medicaid assessment or EISEP referral is underway.
At a glance
| Home care programs | Home care programs are not | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | MLTC plans and CDPAP after an assessment | Available the day you call |
| EISEP | Cost-shared help for people above Medicaid | Free for everyone |
| Medicare | Short skilled home health | Ongoing daily aide hours |
| Private pay | About $35 an hour at the state median | Regulated in price |
Rules and dollar amounts on this page come from New York law and regulation (the Social Services Law, Public Health Law, 18 NYCRR and 10 NYCRR), Department of Health GIS messages and directories, CMS, the VA, CareScout or the county agencies named in the text. Our sourcing rules: editorial standards.
