Does Freedom Care Accept Medicare? What You Need to Know

Freedom Care and Medicare: The Short Answer

Freedom Care is a home care agency that works with Medicare, but not in the way you might expect. Freedom Care does not bill Medicare directly as your primary insurance. Instead, Freedom Care accepts Medicare as a secondary payer — meaning Medicare can help cover costs after another insurance plan (usually Medicaid or a private plan) pays first. If you have only Medicare and no other coverage, Freedom Care will still serve you, but you would pay out of pocket or through a private pay arrangement.

The specifics depend on your state and which Freedom Care location serves your area, since the company operates in multiple states with different partnerships. Before contacting Freedom Care, it helps to know what coverage you actually have and whether Medicaid is part of your plan in your state.

Key Takeaways

Freedom Care accepts Medicare as a secondary payer, not as primary insurance, so you typically need Medicaid or another plan to cover most costs.
Some Freedom Care locations work directly with Medicaid managed care plans, which often include Medicare Advantage plans that bundle both coverages.
If you have Original Medicare only, you can still hire Freedom Care, but you would pay privately unless you also have Medicaid.
Your state's Medicaid program and your specific plan determine whether Freedom Care is in-network and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
Calling Freedom Care directly with your insurance card information is the fastest way to learn whether they accept your specific coverage.

How Freedom Care Works With Medicare Advantage Plans

Many people with Medicare have a Medicare Advantage plan (also called Part C), which is a private insurance option that includes both Part A and Part B coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans also include long-term care benefits or home care services. If your Medicare Advantage plan has a home care benefit, Freedom Care may be in-network through that plan's network.

Medicare Advantage plans vary widely by insurer and by region. Your plan documents or your plan's member services line can tell you whether home care is covered and which agencies are in-network. If Freedom Care is listed, you would typically pay a copay per visit rather than the full cost, and Freedom Care would bill your plan directly.

The challenge is that not all Medicare Advantage plans cover home care, and not all that do include Freedom Care in their network. This is why checking your specific plan first — before calling Freedom Care — saves time.

Freedom Care and Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid is the more common route for Freedom Care coverage. Many states' Medicaid programs cover home care services, and Freedom Care contracts with Medicaid managed care plans in several states. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (sometimes called "dual may be able to access"), Medicaid typically pays first for long-term care services like home care, and Medicare covers the remainder if applicable.

Medicaid coverage and in-network status vary by state and by which Medicaid managed care plan you are enrolled in. For example, a Medicaid plan in New York may have a different network than the same plan's network in another state. You can find out whether Freedom Care is in-network by calling your Medicaid plan's member services number — that number is on your Medicaid card.

If you have Medicaid but are not yet enrolled in a managed care plan, your state's Medicaid office can tell you which plans serve your area and whether they include Freedom Care.

What to Do If You Have Original Medicare Only

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover non-medical home care or personal care services. If you need help with activities like bathing, dressing, or meal preparation, and you have only Original Medicare with no Medicaid or supplemental coverage, you would pay Freedom Care out of pocket.

Some people in this situation look into Medicaid to cover home care costs. Medicaid may be able to access depends on income and assets and varies by state. If you think you might may have access to, your state's Medicaid office or a local Area Agency on Aging can walk you through the process. Alternatively, some people use long-term care insurance or private pay arrangements with agencies like Freedom Care.

Before assuming you cannot afford home care, it is worth asking Freedom Care about their rates and whether they offer any sliding scale or payment plan options. Some agencies do.

How to learn about Freedom Care Accepts Your Coverage

The most direct route is to call Freedom Care's main line with your insurance information in front of you. Have your insurance card ready, including the plan name, member ID, and group number. Tell them which state you live in and what type of care you need.

Freedom Care's intake team can tell you within minutes whether they are in-network for your plan and what your out-of-pocket costs would be. If they are not in-network, they can sometimes still serve you on a private pay basis, and they may be able to suggest other agencies that do accept your plan.

You can also call your insurance plan's member services line first and ask whether Freedom Care is in-network. This can be faster if you are not sure which Freedom Care location serves your area or if you want to compare multiple agencies at once.

State-by-State Differences in Freedom Care Networks

Freedom Care operates in multiple states, and their network status changes by location and by plan. In some states, they have broad Medicaid managed care contracts; in others, they work mainly with private pay clients or specific Medicare Advantage plans. There is no single answer that applies everywhere.

If you are moving or have recently moved, or if you are unsure which Freedom Care location serves your area, start by searching "Freedom Care [your state]" or calling your state's Medicaid office. They can direct you to the right location and tell you which plans they work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Medicare pay for Freedom Care directly?

Original Medicare does not cover non-medical home care services. Medicare Advantage plans sometimes do, but only if home care is included in your specific plan's benefits. Freedom Care can tell you whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers home care and whether they are in-network.

Do I need Medicaid to use Freedom Care?

No. You can hire Freedom Care as a private pay client if you have the funds. However, Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage plan with home care benefits makes the cost much lower. If you have only Original Medicare, Medicaid may be worth exploring if your income and assets may have access to.

What if Freedom Care is not in-network for my plan?

You can still hire them on a private pay basis, though the full cost would be your responsibility. Alternatively, you can ask your insurance plan for a list of in-network home care agencies in your area. Your state's Area Agency on Aging can also suggest agencies that accept your coverage.

How do I know if my Medicare Advantage plan covers home care?

Check your plan's member handbook or call the member services number on your insurance card. Ask specifically whether home care or personal care services are covered and whether there is a copay or visit limit. The plan can also tell you whether Freedom Care is in-network.

Can I switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan to get Freedom Care coverage?

Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year), you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare. If home care is important to you, compare plans during enrollment to find one that covers it and includes Freedom Care in-network.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.