Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care? 5 Things We Discovered. - Senior Affair Magazine
Yes, Medicare covers homehealthcare—but only specific types of skilledmedicalcare, not custodial or personal care. If you meet the eligibility criteria, Medicare Part A and Part B both cover. . .
Yes, Medicare covers homehealthcare—but only specific types of skilledmedicalcare, not custodial or personal care. If you meet the eligibility criteria, Medicare Part A and Part B both cover homehealthservices at 100% (no cost-sharing for covered services), as long as you use a Medicare-certified home health agency. What Medicare CoversSkilled nursing care (wound care, IV therapy, injections, monitoring of serious illness)Physical therapyOccupational therapySpeech-language pathology servicesMedicalsocialservicesHome health aide services — only when also receiving skilled nursing or therapyWhatMedicareDoes NOT Cover24-hour home care or continuous custodial carePersonal care only (bathing, dressing, meal preparation) without skilled nursingHomemaker services (cleaning, cooking, errands)Meals delivered to your homeEligibility RequirementsHomebound statusYou must be homebound—leaving home requires considerable effortPhysician’s orderA doctor must certify you need home health services and create a care planSkilled care needYou must need skilled nursing, PT, OT, or speech therapyMedicare-certified agencyServices must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agencyHow Long DoesMedicareCover HomeHealthCare?Medicarecovers home health care for as long as you remain eligible—there is no fixed number of days. Coverage continues if your doctor certifies ongoing need every 60 days and you remain homebound and require skilled care.