Medicare GUIDE Program
75 hours of Medicare-covered respite care — delivered by us.
Caring Companions is an approved provider under Medicare's GUIDE Program, so we can bill Medicare directly for in-home respite care for eligible individuals enrolled in GUIDE.
75 hrs
of respite care covered per year
4-hour
segments, scheduled around you
July 1
hours reset every year
These hours are designed to give unpaid family caregivers meaningful breaks — while making sure their loved one stays safe, supported, and cared for at home. The GUIDE Program focuses on:
GUIDE is built to reduce caregiver burnout, improve coordination of care, and help people living with dementia remain at home longer.
Who may be eligible?
The GUIDE Program is intended for individuals who:
How to get started
Call Caring Companions
(417) 234-8494 — we can check eligibility in just a few minutes.
We explain how GUIDE respite works
Clear answers about coverage, timing, and what to expect.
We coordinate approval
If eligible, we work with our GUIDE partner to begin the process. Medicare approval typically takes 7–20 days, and care can begin right after.
Good to know
The 75 respite hours don't roll over — unused hours expire June 30, and new hours become available each July 1. We can bill Medicare only after GUIDE enrollment is approved, and respite availability follows Medicare's eligibility guidelines.
Let's check your eligibility.
It takes just a few minutes, and there's no cost to find out.