Transparent Costs
Home Care Pricing & Insurance in 2026
In-home care in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties costs about $45 to $55 per hour in 2026, and $200 to $400 per day for 24-hour coverage. Medicare does not cover non-medical care; long-term care insurance and VA benefits often do.
2026 rates at a glance
Hourly care
$45 – $55
per hour
Personal care, companionship, meals, errands, and transportation. Typical minimum of 4 hours per visit.
Overnight care
$400 – $600
per night
Awake overnight coverage for fall risk, sundowning, or post-hospital monitoring.
24-hour & live-in
$200 – $400
per day
Continuous coverage. Live-in with sleep time prices lower; awake rotating shifts price higher.
What families actually pay each month
| Care plan | Schedule | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Light support | 12 hrs / week | $2,300 – $2,900 |
| Daily assistance | 20 hrs / week | $3,900 – $4,800 |
| Extended daily care | 40 hrs / week | $7,800 – $9,500 |
| Live-in care | 7 days / week | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Awake 24-hour care | Rotating shifts | $9,000 – $12,000 |
Estimates for planning only. Your written care plan states exact rates before care begins.
What pays for in-home care
Private pay — covers home care
The most common method. Billed weekly or bi-weekly with an itemised statement of hours worked.
Long-term care insurance — covers home care
Most policies reimburse licensed home care after an elimination period, up to a daily benefit cap. We provide the documentation carriers require.
VA Aid & Attendance — covers home care
Eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses can receive a monthly benefit that offsets non-medical home care.
Workers' compensation & liability — covers home care
Included in the hourly rate. A licensed agency carries the coverage so the family is not the employer of record.
Medicare — does not cover home care
Does not pay for non-medical in-home care. It may cover short-term skilled home health after a qualifying hospital stay when ordered by a physician.
Medi-Cal — does not cover home care
Does not fund private-agency non-medical care. Some households qualify for the separate IHSS program instead.
Plan your budget
To see what these rates buy, read the in-home care guide or compare against communities in assisted living vs. home care. Families arranging longer coverage should review 24-hour and live-in care and short-term respite care. Long-term care policyholders can start on our long-term care insurance page.
Pricing and coverage FAQs
How much does home care cost per hour in 2026?
In Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, non-medical in-home care runs about $45 to $55 per hour in 2026. Rates vary with acuity, shift length, overnight requirements, and how quickly care must begin.
Does Medicare pay for in-home care?
No. Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care such as bathing, meals, or companionship. It may cover time-limited skilled home health — nursing or therapy — when a physician orders it after a qualifying event.
Will long-term care insurance reimburse your services?
Most long-term care policies reimburse care from a licensed Home Care Organization once the elimination period is satisfied. We supply care plans, caregiver logs, and invoices in the format carriers request.
Is there a minimum number of hours?
Most schedules start at a four-hour visit, which allows enough time for a complete routine rather than a rushed task list. Shorter medication-reminder visits are considered case by case.
Are there extra fees for holidays or short-notice starts?
Holiday shifts are billed at a premium rate, and same-day or overnight starts may carry a short-notice differential. Both are disclosed in writing before care begins.
How is care billed?
Care is billed for actual hours worked on a weekly or bi-weekly cycle, with an itemised statement showing dates, caregivers, and hours. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation penalties with reasonable notice.
Get an Exact Quote
One conversation gives you a written rate and a realistic weekly schedule.