Does Medicare Advantage cover home health care?

Question

Helena Foutz · Accepted Answer

Yes, if your doctor orders it. However, Medicare does not cover 24-hour-a-day care at your home, home meal delivery, homemaker services (like shopping and cleaning) unrelated to your care plan, or custodial or personal care that helps you with daily living activities (like bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom), when this is the only care you need. Some Medicare Advantage plans include some homemaker services when returning home from the hospital, so ask your broker.

Answered by Helena Foutz on March 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AK, AR & 13 other states

Answered by Helena Foutz Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/does-medicare-advantage-cover-home-health-care#gary-church

Steve and Sue Brauer · Answer

Yes, typically most Advantage plans cover Home Health care. Some are more comprehensive than others, but the benefit exists with most of the Medicare carriers

Norman Smith · Answer

Home Health Care is typically not covered by standard Medicare and Advantage plans. You will need a Long-Term Care plan for that. Now Rehab or Skilled Nursing may cover for a very short term, but nothing for continual needs.

Answered by Norman Smith on June 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, NJ & PA

Answered by Norman Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

George Ibanez · Answer

Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover all home health care services offered by original Medicare, including home health care, skilled nursing, and home healthcare aids.
You must be under the care of a doctor, and you must be homebound, but unlike Medicare supplement plans, they may require you to use specific in-network home health services.

For more information, contact George.

Voss Speros · Answer

Voss Speros here, the Greek god of Medicare. The question today is, does Medicare cover home health care? Yes, Medicare covers it. Medicare Advantage covers home health care, medical home health care. They cover medical home health care. So, like a skilled home health need, physical therapy, occupational therapy, things like that. When you're coming out of a skilled nursing facility, going home, and you need therapy, it covers that.

Non-medical home care, like custodial care, most mainstream Medicare doesn't really cover. They have a billing code for someone that oversees that. So there's a little gray area mixed in on that one. Some Advantage plans offer hours a year for non-medical home care. So yes, depending on your need and depending on your area, we can find a plan that works and has some of that coverage. But the non-medical side, it's only like 80 hours a year. It's not a lot if you need that kind of home care. Someone to come in and watch over your folks or you, you're gonna need more than 80 hours a year or an hour or a couple of hours a week.

As for medical home care, yeah, usually that's about 6 to 8 visits a month is what Medicare pays for. And then physical therapy passes through home health. If you go the physical therapy route, you can probably get about one session a day, depending on the plan. Occupational therapy, about the same thing on that one. Keep in mind, if you're on an Advantage plan and a provider says you need to drop it and go back to original Medicare for more benefits, they're lying to you. The only reason they're saying that is because they're getting a higher reimbursement rate from original Medicare than an Advantage plan. They still can do it. They just don't want to contract with it.

Or you just need to find someone that's gonna be contracted with it. If you call your plan and say, I need home health, they'll find you a contracted home health care company that can bill and take that plan. So if anybody tells you you need to drop your plan because you're getting less benefits, they are lying to you. And it's all about money. It's not about patient care at that point. It's about money. So if you want patient care, say, you know what? Thank you. Thank you for the suggestion. I'm gonna call my plan and see who's contracted. And I'm gonna go work with them. Thank you very much. Have a great day.

So just keep in mind, Medicare does cover medical home care. Medicare Advantage, straight Medicare. Hope that helps. If you have any questions, we'll send out an agent, do a plan review, and we'll get you straightened out. Have a great night.

David Wiley · Answer

Yes, but only for up to 30 days after being discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility preceded by a hospital stay.  It does NOT cover Long Term Care.

Christopher Palazzini · Answer

Yes, however it’s for a few hours a day and the length of time is limited. It covers very light duties and is not long term care.

Justin Lucas · Answer

Yes it does. Home health care is an item that Medicare Advantages do cover. They have to cover at least the same what orignal Medicare covers.

Jeremy Purse · Answer

In some instances yes. A Medicare Advantage Plan can cover limited Home Healthcare after a surgery or hospitalization. Often times, your Primary Care Physician will need to request this type of care from the insurance company.

Answered by Jeremy Purse on May 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 5 other states

Answered by Jeremy Purse Medicare Insurance Agent

Corey Schuler · Answer

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans must cover home health care, just like Original Medicare.  The out-of-pocket costs can vary between plans.  Check your plan's summary of benefits for more details.

Teresa Schissler-Boichot · Answer

Yes! Medicare Advantage plans absolutely cover home health care. You can find out exactly what your plan covers by reading the Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage documents provided by your plan. You can also call the number on the back of your insurance carrier's card or your local agent, if you work with one, for more information.

Answered by Teresa Schissler-Boichot on May 21, 2026

Broker Licensed in MI, AZ, FL & 11 other states

Answered by Teresa Schissler-Boichot Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Yes. One of your responsibilities lies in the interview process three months before you are Medicare-eligible. That process consists of seeing 2-3 agents from different insurance companies who ought to enable you a nice well-rounded synopsis of healthcare choices. Be sure that an agent is a broker/independent rep; not a “captive” agent who only can write an application thru one company.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Medicare Advantage plans typically cover home health care services. MA plans are private health insurance plans that offer coverage similar to Original Medicare Parts A & B with some additional benefits included. Technically, MA plans take the place of Original Medicare Parts A & B; therefore, they must offer the same coverage for home health care services as Original Medicare.

Answered by Diana Garner on August 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN

Answered by Diana Garner Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Home health falls under Medicare Part A Hospital/Inpatient services, however, there may be certain restrictions and/or limitations when comparing a Medicare Advantage plan vs Original Medicare (Part A & B) when combined with a Medicare Supplement.

Answered by Timothy Brown on July 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Kristen Skinner · Answer

Generally no. It does cover hospice but not home health care. Some plans like the DSNP will cover home health care, but you have to be on Medicaid.

Dana Dane · Answer

Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplements must cover everything that Medicare covers. Medicare covers home health visits. How it's covered depends upon your plan but many plans will cover home health at a $0 copay but visits are limited. To receive the benefit you must qualify. Please contact your local agent to find out how home health is covered under your plan. There is never a fee to work with an agent.

Answered by Dana Dane on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 6 other states

Answered by Dana Dane Medicare Insurance Agent

Frank Woerner · Answer

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part C, do have some coverage for home health care. However, coverage may vary from plan to plan so be sure to check with the carrier or agent.

Erlynne (Elle) Massie · Answer

Yes it does, as long as it's medically necessary and prescribed by a hospital physician after 3 days of inpatient hospitalization. Medicare quantity limits apply. This is actually not just a "Medicare Advantage" requirement, but a Medicare-itself requirement.

Medicare itself does not cover long term care, nor custodial care.

Mal Varlack · Answer

At least some of the same care services as Original Medicare. Including parent time skilled home health health care provided the person is homebound and has doctor approval for the care.

Jason Vallejos · Answer

Most Medicare Advantage plans cover limited Home Health Care. However, it typically requires an evaluation after a referral is submitted by the Primary Care Physician.

Heidi Delaney · Answer

Home health is a covered benefit on Medicare Advantage plans; it must be ordered by your physician/provider, and it must be supported by medical necessity.

Kathy Olejniczak · Answer

Yes a a Medicare advantage  plan covers all meds procedures that original Medicare covers.
 This is by law and statute- they can offer additional benefits and coverage but not less

Christopher Orr · Answer

Yes mostly for zero copay for network home health agencies, Doctor has to prescribed home health and there has to be improving health to keep it going

Allison Chapman · Answer

es, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) cover home health care, as they are required to provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare and they have networks.

Fred Manas · Answer

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide the same level of home health care coverage as Original Medicare. However, Medicare Advantage plans may have additional rules, limitations, and costs compared to Original Medicare. 
Key Points:
Coverage:
Medicare Advantage plans cover home health care, including part-time skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and other home health services. 
Additional Rules:
Medicare Advantage plans may have rules like requiring care from plan-contracted providers, prior authorization, or referrals from your doctor. 
Potential Costs:
You may need to pay copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for home health services under a Medicare Advantage plan, even though Original Medicare fully covers them. 
Non-Skilled Care:
Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer supplemental benefits that include non-skilled in-home care, such as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). 
Plan Variations:
Coverage for in-home support services (e.g., assistance with ADLs) can vary significantly between different Medicare Advantage plans. 
In Summary: While Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover home health care, you should check your specific plan details to understand its rules, limitations, and costs.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Typically yes but it depends on the plan. Oftentimes HMO plans only work with specific service providers and if you can't find a service provider then you won't get the health care. I do not recommend Medicare advantage appliance at all. Medicare supplement plans are worry-free. You don't have these kinds of issues.

Answered by Gary Henderson on April 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

Yes, Medicate Advantage plans do cover home health care. They are required to provide at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare, though the rules, costs, and provider networks may differ.

Answered by Meghan Blankenship on November 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MD & OH

Answered by Meghan Blankenship Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

A request must be made by a doctor and Home Health Services are usually covered at a $0 copay.  Please check with your insurance for further information

Todd Bostic · Answer

Yes, Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare both cover Home Health Care. Many people look at Medicare Advantage plans as nothing more than a scam, but if you are frugal and trying to save money, just look at it like a prepaid plan versus a post paid plan or like cell phones. Prepaid phones can be original Medicare and pay as you go can be Advantage plans.

Answered by Todd Bostic on October 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Todd Bostic Medicare Insurance Agent

Mike Henry · Answer

Yes it does offer the same coverage as regular Medicare. It also may cover additional benefits. Consult your plan

Jennifer Kalbach · Answer

Yes if the patient is homebound all Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide Medicare approved home health care services.

Ben Washington · Answer

Does Medicare Advantage cover home health care? yes, same as original Medicare with limitations -You won't qualify for the home health benefit if you need more than part-time or "intermittent" skilled care.

Answered by Ben Washington on June 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, FL, MN, SC, TX & WI

Answered by Ben Washington Medicare Insurance Agent

Brent Mowery · Answer

Medicare offers 100 days of "skilled nursing" care annually. This includes "home health care".  A Part C Plan would not duplicate any coverage offered through original Medicare.

Toni Chavez · Answer

Thanks for your question!   

Medicare Advantage must cover at least the same medically necessary home health care services as Original Medicare.   Keep in mind you must use in network providers and usually prior authorization is required before care is provided.  Some plans have restrictions, and I would check with your evidence of coverage document for the plan you have.  You can always call your agent or carrier for more information regarding your plan.

Enjoy your day!

Toni Chavez
Medicare Broker

Adam Morillo · Answer

Great question, yes Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything that Original Medicare Part A and Part B covers including medically necessary home health care. Prior authorization may be required by your Medicare Advantage plan.

Answered by Adam Morillo on July 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Adam Morillo Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Hardwick · Answer

Yes. Home healthcare is available through Medicare Advantage. Usually it requires preauthorization from your primary doctor but there may be rules like networks, prior authorization, and copays.

Mark Walker · Answer

No Medicare advantage does not have home healthcare and neither does original Medicare. It is not a part of Medicare.

Tonya White · Answer

So the question came in: Do Medicare Advantage plans cover home health care? The answer is yes, they do. First, there would be an assessment, and of course, your doctor has to be in the process for this. They can schedule an assessment to determine whether you qualify to receive home health care.

If that is the case, typically, the situation would be that you would be homebound. Most of the time, this happens post-surgery or post-hospitalization. You may not be able to come into the doctor's office to receive services such as checking vitals, changing bandages for wound care, or things of that nature, where they would send out a skilled practitioner.

It is not somebody coming in to help with cooking and cleaning and doing all of those things, but it can cover things such as if you are not able to perform one of the activities of daily living, like feeding, toileting, bathing, grooming, and things of that nature. There are six activities of daily living, so if you're not able to perform those, then you may qualify for someone to come in to help you receive those services on a part-time or intermittent basis.

So it is not long-term care. Just to be very clear, Medicare does not cover long-term care, but they will cover short-term rehabilitative types of care. So it could also include physical therapy. If you're not in a skilled nursing facility or something like that post-surgery, it could apply.

So I hope that answers your question, and keep them coming. Take care. Bye-bye.

Thermon Holliday · Answer

More people are choosing to stay in their homes longer. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan you DO NOT have "in-home" care but you do have "respite" and/or in-home services available to you, based on your current plan's benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans include in-home services like: meals, companions, and varied other benefits. You need to review the benefits with your agent to fully understand what is available to you, under your plan. If you need a review or would like to know what else is available please contact me or my team.

Answered by Thermon Holliday on September 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, GA, NV, OR & TX

Answered by Thermon Holliday Medicare Insurance Agent

Ross Landon · Answer

Yes, but it must be “medically necessary”care and certified by a Doctor or healthcare provider. They must order your care and it must be provided by a certified home health agency.

You also must be homebound, which means you have trouble leaving your home without help because of illness or injury. You pay nothing for that service, with the exception of durable medical equipment. Then you would pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount and the part B deductible does apply.

Lance Stanley · Answer

Yes, if you're under the care of a doctor,
including a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse
specialist, or a physician assistant (PA)), and you’re
getting services as part of a care plan that your doctor or
allowed practitioner established and reviews regularly.

Eric Jensen · Answer

Yes Medicare Advantage Plans do cover home health care. They are required provide at least the same level of home health care coverage as Original Medicare, however you would usually need to get the care from a provider that is contracted with your specific health plan.

Answered by Eric Jensen on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, CA & 8 other states

Answered by Eric Jensen Medicare Insurance Agent

Eric Palmer · Answer

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans cover home health care, as they provide the same level of coverage as original Medicare for this service. However, Medicare advantage plans may have different rules, restrictions, and cost compared to Original Medicare.

Answered by Eric Palmer on April 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in AR, MO & TN

Answered by Eric Palmer Medicare Insurance Agent

Michelle Turner · Answer

Some health care advantage plans cover home health care. They may come with copays and certain authorizations and guidelines may have to be met for it to be covered by your plan.

Lori Gobep · Answer

Medicare pays for you to get health care services in your home if you meet certain eligibility criteria and the services are considered reasonable and necessary for the treatment of your illness or injury. 

More info at: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10969-medicare-and-home-health-care.pdf

Karen Budd · Answer

Yes, Medicare Advantage must cover the same home care services that are provided under Original Medicare and sometimes they provide additional services.  Benefits vary by plan.