Common Questions About Home Accessibility

How long does it take to get a home modification through Medicaid or the VA?

When working with third party payers, the time it takes from initial consultation until hammers are swinging can range from about 4 months to well over a year. Private pay projects can be completed on a much shorter timeline because we aren't waiting for authorizations and sign-offs from numerous different people and departments. 

Will I get reimbursed if I proceed with a project prior to getting approval from a third party?

No. Medicaid, the VA and other third party grant programs do not reimburse for expenses incurred before formal authorization was issued. We've had people try to submit a claim after the fact, and it almost always gets denied every time. There are no CPT insurance billing codes for the type of work that we do, and since home remodeling services are considered "atypical" by insurance companies, they all require manual review and prior authorization. 

Do you offer discounts for seniors, Veterans or the disabled?

Since all our clients fit into at least one of these categories, we are unable to offer discounts to specific groups of people. We do, however, work with numerous different non-profits and grant programs who can help cover the costs. Additionally, we will always give the option of purchasing refurbished or overstock material at a discount whenever it's available to us. 

Will my home look like a hospital or like a handicapped person lives there? Will it hurt the resale value of my house?

We always encourage people to make their home work for them now, instead of planning for who might or might not be moving in down the road. Universal design can be tastefully done to match the home's unique character, as well as the homeowner's preferences- all while enhancing safety and accessibility. Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms are two great ways to actually increase the value of your home for resale purposes! And in over 10 years of doing this type of residential construction, I have never been called in to undo the remodel or reinstall a traditional bath tub. 

How do I know what all needs to be done to make my home accessible?

Just give us a call and we will be there every step of the way. First, we will set up a home evaluation to look at all areas of the house and better understand the medical needs and mobility challenges at hand. Then, we will put together some options for both short and long term accessibility goals. Once we have the scope of work dialed in and funding in place, we can sign the paperwork and get the project started. The ADA guidelines are designed for commercial and public use spaces, and do not apply to residential settings- although they are a good start. We want to make homes work for the people who live there, which allows us to incorporate more than the bare minimum standards as well as offer more aesthetically pleasing options as well.