Frequently Asked Questions

Hera (hellohera.com) is a care management company that matches families with dedicated Heroes — senior care experts who coordinate everything for your aging parent. 90% of our clients pay $0 out-of-pocket because our services are covered by Original Medicare.

If you've ever spent hours on hold with insurance, struggled to coordinate your parent's doctors, or felt overwhelmed figuring out what Medicare and Medicaid cover — that's exactly what your Hero handles for you.

This is sometimes called 'care management', but really we're just the expert who knows the system and does the work so you don't have to.

Our Heroes — dedicated senior care experts — are experienced social workers and nurses. They have expertise in hospital social work, palliative care, home health, discharge planning, and hospice. They can handle:

Guiding You Through Big Moments

• Making a plan after a new diagnosis like dementia, Parkinson's, or cancer

• Helping your parent get set up safely at home after a hospital or skilled nursing facility discharge

• Coordinating care before and after procedures

Coordinating & Advocating Across Providers

• Handling paperwork, booking appointments, and coordinating across doctor's offices and insurance

• Advocating for more covered home care hours or helping with Medicaid applications

• Managing insurance appeals and helping navigate long-term care insurance

Finding Insurance-Covered Services & Supplies

• Connecting you with vetted primary care physicians, specialists, home care agencies, and transportation services

• Arranging in-home services like occupational therapy, physical therapy, and podiatry

• Identifying and arranging safety equipment and assistive devices to keep your parent safe at home

Maximizing Insurance & Community Benefits

• Helping your parent access Medicare and Medicaid benefits they qualify for

• Identifying community resources like Meals on Wheels, SCRIE, Access-A-Ride, and HEAP

• Connecting your parent with local social groups and activities to reduce isolation

No. Hera is a healthcare technology company, not related to Greek mythology.

We're a Medicare-covered care management company that helps families coordinate care for aging parents in New York. The name was inspired by themes of family care and protection, but we're a modern healthcare business focused on helping families navigate eldercare.

For care management services, visit hellohera.com or call 332-203-2533.

Your parent qualifies for Hera if they meet three criteria:

1. They have Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage)

2. They live in New York State

3. They have a chronic condition (like diabetes, heart disease, COPD, dementia, or others)

Not sure if your parent fits? Schedule a complimentary consultation and we'll verify their eligibility at no cost and no commitment. Even if your parent doesn't qualify, we are happy to point you toward other resources that might help.

Call us at 332-203-2533 or fill out our contact form to get started.

90% of Hera clients pay $0 out of pocket.

Our care management services are covered by Original Medicare as part of a program called Chronic Care Management (CCM).

If your parent also has Medicaid or a supplemental plan like AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap, that typically covers the standard Part B coinsurance.

During your complimentary consultation, we verify your parent's Medicare coverage and let you know exactly what to expect. There are no hidden fees, no contracts, and no surprise costs.

If your parent has Medicare Advantage (instead of Original Medicare), we unfortunately cannot provide services at this time, but we're working to accept MA plans soon.

This is a common question and the distinction can be confusing.

Original Medicare, sometimes called "Traditional Medicare", is administered directly by the U.S. government and
consists of:

• Part A: Hospital insurance

• Part B: Medical insurance

If your parent has a red, white, and blue Medicare card from the government, they have Original Medicare, and likely qualify for Hera.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, or Blue Cross. These plans bundle Parts A, B, and usually prescription drug coverage.

It's worth noting that many people with Original Medicare also have supplemental "Medigap" plans from private insurers like UnitedHealthcare or Aetna. This is different from Medicare Advantage.

Currently, Hera's services are covered by Original Medicare only. Not sure which type of Medicare your parent has? We can help verify during a complimentary consultation.

Yes! Hera serves all of New York state, including all five NYC boroughs:

• Manhattan

• Brooklyn

• Queens

• The Bronx

• Staten Island

Our NYC-based Heroes are familiar with local hospital systems (like Weill Cornell, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai), community resources, and NYC-specific programs like SCRIE, SNAP, and HEAP.

Beyond NYC, we serve families throughout New York State, from Westchester to Long Island to the Hudson Valley. If your parent lives anywhere in New York, we can help.

Medicare classifies many different conditions as chronic. Common qualifying conditions include:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease or heart failure

• COPD or chronic lung disease

• Alzheimer's or dementia

• Arthritis

• Chronic kidney disease

• Depression

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Osteoporosis

• Cancer (current or in remission)

• Stroke

• High cholesterol

If your parent has one or more of these conditions, or others not listed, they likely qualify. Not sure? We can confirm eligibility during a free consultation.

No. Hera is different from home care and home health services.

Home Care provides hands-on assistance with daily activities: bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship. These are aides who physically help with daily activities.

Home Health provides skilled medical services in the home: physical therapy, wound care, nursing visits. This is typically ordered by a doctor after a hospital stay.

Hera is care management: we don't provide hands-on care, but we coordinate everything else. Your Hero arranges home care and home health services when your parent needs them, helps get them covered by insurance, and manages the entire care ecosystem so nothing falls through the cracks.

Yes. Dementia is one of the most common conditions we help families navigate.

Our Heroes are trained extensively in cognitive impairment and understand the unique challenges of dementia care,
including:

• Finding appropriate home care with dementia expertise, and advocating for additional covered hours from
  Medicaid/MLTC

• Providing guidance to make their living environment safer with equipment like grab bars and safety knobs

• Managing complex medication regimens safely

• Advocating during hospital visits and doctor appointments

• Connecting you with community resources and support groups

Most families complete our onboarding process within 1 week.

Here's what to expect:

• Day 1: Complimentary Consultation (30 minutes)

  • We learn about your parent's needs and verify eligibility

• Week 1: Clinical Assessment

  • A Hera clinician meets with you virtually to review your parent's medical history, medications, and priorities.

• Week 1-2: Hero Matching & Assessment

  • We match your family with a dedicated Hero who conducts a thorough assessment to understand your parent's story, needs, and preferences for aging.

• Ongoing Support Begins

  • Right after your assessment, your Hero creates a personalized care plan and starts taking tasks off your plate.

If you have an urgent situation like a hospital discharge, let us know. We do our best to prioritize families who need immediate support. We'll match your family with a Hero who understands what you're going through.

If for any reason your Hero isn't the right fit, just let us know and we'll match you with someone new.

This rarely happens - our Heroes are carefully selected and trained - but we understand that personalities and communication styles vary. We want your family to feel fully supported.

There's no limit!

Your Hero is your dedicated expert, available whenever you need support. While Heroes typically work traditional business hours EST, we know things come up at all times, so you can reach out anytime by call or email.

Whether you have a quick question about a medication refill or need help navigating a complex situation like a hospital discharge, your Hero is there for you.

For our families, it's a huge relief to know there's always someone in their corner who understands their parent's full situation.