How can someone get Medicare-covered home health care?
If you have recently been discharged from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, your doctor may suggest home health services. Home health services are often considered to be an effective, safe, and affordable alternative to in-patient care. Not all insurance providers offer coverage for home health services. However, Medicare may provide coverage for home health care services under certain circumstances.
If you are homebound, require intermittent skilled nursing care or therapy, and your doctor has created a treatment plan for you, you may be eligible to have your home health services covered, as long as it is provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. If you are being discharged from the hospital, you should discuss your home health care needs with a doctor, discharge planner, or social worker to better determine your eligibility for Medicare health insurance for your at-home care.
Health coverage for these services includes coverage for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language therapy. Therapy includes exercises to regain strength and range of motion or to restore an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks or responsibilities.
Skilled nursing care services that can be performed by either a registered or licensed practical nurse may be covered on either a part-time or intermittent basis. If skilled nursing is covered, home health aide services may also be covered on either a part time or intermittent basis. A home health aide may provide basic assistance in certain areas of daily life, including personal hygiene and personal care.
Other services may also be covered through Medicare’s personal health insurance, including social services programs to help locate resources for counseling or assistance programs, medical supplies and durable medical equipment, and certain prescription medications. Certain care may not be covered, including 24/7 skilled nursing or home health aide care, delivered meals, personal assistance or housekeeping, and similar services.
To learn more about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov.
Back to Blog
