What home health care services does Medicare cover?

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According to AARP, Original Medicare can cover the full cost of medically necessary home health care on a limited basis for beneficiaries who are unable to leave home without assistance. That could include:

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• Skilled nursing care

• Occupational, physical and speech therapy

• Home health aide services, if the recipient also needs therapy or skilled nursing

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Original Medicare can cover routine home care daily activities such as help with bathing and dressing as well as basic medical care such as checking vital signs and dressing wounds—only on a part-time or intermittent basis, but only if a doctor orders it as part of a broader plan of care. Original Medicare will not pay for full-time home care or for personal and home services if that is the only help needed.

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However, Medicare Advantage plans (which are private insurance policies that match Original Medicare's coverage but can provide additional benefit) have the option to offer broader and longer-term coverage for home health services. For example, an MA plan might cover a personal care aide even if the recipient does not need therapy or skilled nursing. Check with the plan provider to understand what is available for each particular plan.

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See below for more answers to your home health care questions >>

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>> Where do I start to find coverage for home health care services?

>> What is the difference between home care and home health care?

>> How can I afford home care or home health care services?

>>What are people using to pay for home health care services?

>>What government assistance programs are available for home health care services?

>>What home health care services does Medicaid cover?

>>What home health care services does Veteran's Programs cover?

>>What home health care services does PACE cover?

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