Funding for Your Home Modifications

 

When our assessment team concludes a Free Home Safety Assessment, the most frequently asked question is “How am I going to pay for these things?” Healthcare is an extremely expensive process, from hospital and rehab stays, to paying for private nursing care. Our team invests time every week to search for available funding programs for our clients. Educating our clients on such programs is one of our greatest passions, and today we will discuss these choices.

After the conclusion of our Free Home Safety Assessment, our assessor team will then go through and let you know what options are available to you. While some may be familiar, we encourage you to read on as we continually add newfound options. Our goal is to make this process as stress free as possible for you, your clients, and your loved ones.

Finance Options from Hearth Financing

One of our most exciting funding options is that we are now offering financing through Hearth Financing. This program is perfect for home modification projects that grants or other programs might not cover or otherwise be available. Hearth offers an easy to use portal to apply and in some cases, no interest loans may be available. Also, there is no prepayment penalty and the amount approved is based on total income and FICO scores of the applicant(s).

Financing might be the ideal choice for larger projects. We are happy to work with you to begin the application process and answer questions about this financing option to help you make the best decision based on your needs.

We know that there is a lot of information contained here. To answer further questions or to get started on your home modification project, please contact our office at Oakley Home Access at 401-429-3882.

Beyond traditional insurance policies, our organization has found numerous additional resources for funding. As healthcare professionals, we feel confident reaching out to national organizations and educating ourselves and our clients on these resources.

• Long-Term Care Policy. These policies are designed to offset or cover the cost of residing in a long term care facility. Many members have carried these policies for several decades, and may not know that they often cover home modifications. In the eyes of the insurance company, investing in safety at home is a long term benefit as the cost of long term care is very expensive. This should be treated as a case-by-case basis but we have had numerous successful reimbursements for home modifications of all costs.

• National MS Society. Members may be eligible for thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment with a simple application and a letter from their physician confirming diagnosis. This process would begin by reaching out to the organization and asking to speak with a Navigator in regards to funding for home modifications.

• ALS Association of RI. Members are each eligible for $1,500 towards purchase of stair lift and a wide variety of home care benefits. In addition, this organization has an extensive ramp and DME loan program that we are happy to educate our clients on. This process would also begin by reaching out to the organization and asking to speak with a navigator in regard to home modifications.

• Infantile Paralysis Association. This organization is available to clients with a diagnosis of polio, post polio syndrome, and infantile paralysis. The funding helps clients to get thousands of dollars in funding for various home modifications to ensure safety at home.

• Other Disability Organizations. We always encourage health care providers and individuals alike to advocate and contact any disability organization or support group they may be involved with in order to inquire regarding funding for home modifications. The worst that can happen is they say No. If the answer is no, be sure to ask what benefits they DO offer.

• Life Insurance Policy. Individuals who carry life insurance policies that include a “Living Benefit” may sometimes be able to borrow against their award and cover home modifications.

• Home Modification Lines of Credit. Individuals with equity in their homes may inquire about using that to fund home improvements. All of our services/equipment would be eligible for this type of loan.

• Worker’s Compensation. Individuals rehabilitating due to a work-related injury and being covered under an active claim are eligible for home modifications to prevent further injury and create home access.

• AAA, AARP, YMCA, & Veteran’s Discounts Available

Rhode Island offers a few unique funding sources that have been very successful. By and large our greatest funding source is the RI Livable Home Modification Grant. We have also continued to work on streamlining the process for a few different RI State Medicaid insurance programs. This information is discussed below.

• RI Livable Home Modification Grant. This grant program offers a reimbursement of 50% with a max reimbursement of $4500 towards Home Modifications and/or home accessibility equipment. Homeowners will pay for the home modification upfront and then apply for reimbursement. This program has extremely generous income limits and is a streamlined process thanks to the tremendous work of the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities. Application and information on covered services may be found here.

• RI State-run Medicaid. If an individual receives RI Medicaid benefits they MAY be eligible for waiver programs funding Stair Lifts & Ramps. We are State approved providers and can check on eligibility and bill the state directly. While this is not a guaranteed option, we will approach each case individually to determine eligibility.

• Neighborhood Health Plan. If an individual has NHP as primary or secondary insurance and it is managed by Integra, they MAY be eligible for Stair Lifts & Ramps. A prescription and letter of medical necessity is required from a physician. We are providers and can work with NHP for authorization and billing.

• United HealthCare-Community Plan. Some United HealthCare-Community Plan members MAY be eligible for ramps and stairlifts. As with other insurances, we can check on eligibility and pursue prior authorization if applicable.

The RI Livable Home Modification Program has helped thousands of our Ocean State clients move forward with their necessary modifications. We are actively working with legislators to mirror such a program in Massachusetts, and hopefully Connecticut. This is a difficult task but we are very happy with the progress we’ve made, and continue to be optimistic. In the meantime, there are some funding sources available for MA residents in ADDITION to many of the options listed above.

• Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP): MA Loan program which provides up to $50,000 for home modifications related to a disability. This program is payment and interest free, to be collected at the time the home sells or transfers titles.

• Centers for Independent Living: There are several centers for Independent living in Massachusetts that assist with guiding clients through the HMLP or can provide funding for home modifications to those who don’t qualify for the HMLP

• Aging Service Access Points(ASAP): These programs are private and non-funded agencies with governing boards that serve 51% of the people aged 60 and older in MA. These agencies do have funding for home modification through a simple approval process. We actively have been working closely with Coastline and SeniorCare, but aim to set up strong relationships with all 25 ASAPs.

• Quincy Resident Funding: The city of Quincy has developed a grant program to assist residents pay for interior and exterior modifications. Their eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Both Homeowners and Renters can apply

• Age 62+

• Income can not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)

Examples of Work include but not limited to:

• Ramps, grab bars interior/exterior

• Stair Lifts interior/exterior

• Bathroom Modifications

• Walk in Shower

• Tub Cuts

• Railings

For more info about the grant and eligibility please contact the Housing Programs Manager Sherry Zou City of Quincy Office of Healthy Homes  szou@quincyma.gov  617-745-7168

Oakley Home Access promises to make the extra effort to find resources, and assist with securing as much available funding as possible for our clients. We firmly believe that home modifications are a necessity, and not just a convenience. While we hope that one day insurance will cover these modifications in a manner that’s beneficial to all parties, we are dedicated to finding supplemental funding until that becomes true.  If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 401.429.3882 or submit an online inquiry at Oakleyhomeaccess.com