What Is Errand Running
Errand running is a service provided by home health aides and caregivers to handle tasks outside the home that your loved one cannot manage independently. This includes grocery shopping, picking up medications, paying bills in person, banking, post office visits, and similar errands that require leaving the house.
In the context of caregiving, errand running falls under Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are the higher-level tasks necessary for independent living. Unlike basic ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting), IADLs require planning, decision-making, and community access. For seniors and people with mobility limitations, cognitive decline, or chronic illness, errand running becomes essential to maintaining household functioning and medication compliance.
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage
Medicare Part B does not cover errand running as a standalone service. However, if errand running is medically necessary and documented in a physician-ordered care plan following a hospitalization or skilled nursing facility stay, it may be covered under Home Health Agency (HHA) services for up to 60 days post-discharge.
Medicaid coverage varies significantly by state. Some states classify errand running as part of in-home supportive services or personal care services and cover it, while others do not. You will need to contact your state Medicaid program directly to determine what is covered in your area. Some Medicaid waiver programs do include errand services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Private long-term care insurance policies sometimes cover errand services, depending on the policy terms. Always review your specific policy language or contact your insurer.
How Errand Running Appears in Care Plans
When a care plan includes errand running, it is documented as a specific service with frequency noted. For example: "Home health aide to complete weekly grocery shopping and medication pickup for 2 hours per week" or "Caregiver to assist with banking and bill payment once monthly." The care plan will specify which errands are included, the frequency, and which staff member is responsible.
Errand running is typically assigned to home health aides rather than registered nurses. It is often combined with other IADL services like meal preparation, laundry, or light housekeeping to create a cohesive weekly schedule. If your loved one requires respite care, errand running may be included in the respite caregiver's duties.
Practical Considerations
- Transportation: Errand running requires reliable transportation. Many home care agencies provide transportation as part of the service, while others expect caregivers to use personal vehicles. Clarify whether mileage reimbursement is included in your service contract.
- Financial access: Your loved one or family member must provide payment methods, account access, or authorization documents so the caregiver can conduct transactions. Some families set up a designated debit card or prepayment system.
- Safety and liability: The care agency should carry liability insurance covering errands conducted off-site. Always verify this with the agency before services begin.
- Medication pickup: If errand running includes pharmacy pickup, ensure the pharmacy has authorization on file and that the caregiver understands which medications to retrieve and any refill protocols.
- Cost: Private pay errand running typically costs $25 to $35 per hour, depending on location and agency. This is often billed as home health aide time but with a specific IADL designation.
Common Questions
- Is errand running covered by insurance? Coverage depends on your insurance type and state regulations. Medicare Part B generally does not cover it unless it is part of a medically necessary home health plan. Medicaid coverage varies by state. Contact your insurance provider or state Medicaid office to check your specific coverage.
- Can a family caregiver do errands instead of a paid aide? Absolutely. Many families handle errands themselves as part of informal caregiving. Paid errand services are useful when family caregivers are unavailable, working, or managing multiple care responsibilities. Some respite care programs specifically cover errands to give family caregivers a break.
- What if my loved one needs transportation but cannot go into stores? That is a different service, called Transportation Services, where a caregiver drives your loved one to appointments or activities. Errand running means the caregiver goes into the store or business while your loved one waits in the car or at home.
Related Concepts
IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) covers the broader category of complex tasks that errand running falls under. Transportation Services is a related but distinct service that focuses on getting your loved one to locations rather than running errands on their behalf.