Does Medicare Advantage cover home health care?

Question

Helena Foutz, RSSA · 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, RSSA on March 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AK, AR & 12 other states

Answered by Helena Foutz, RSSA Medicare Insurance Agent

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 & PA

Answered by Norman Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Steve 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

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

Mike Henry · Answer

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Does Medicare Advantage cover home health care?

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