I've heard Medicare covers home health care, but what exactly does that include?

Question

Steve Houchens · Accepted Answer

Medicare generally covers part-time or intermittent home health care services when medically necessary, especially after a hospital stay or skilled nursing facility stay. This includes skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services, as well as medical social services and some home health aide care if it's related to skilled care. Medicare, however, does not cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, or personal care when it's the sole need. You can find more extensive break down online if you search or sit down with an agent sometime to go over all of it.

Answered by Steve Houchens on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Medicare covers specific types of home health services that are medically necessary and ordered by a doctor. These services typically include skilled nursing care, therapy (physical, occupational, and speech), and some medical social services, as well as medical supplies and equipment. 

Medicare doesn't cover all types of home care, like personal care assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), unless it's combined with skilled nursing or therapy.

Steven Lovell · Answer

Medicare covers part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and medical social services when provided in a home setting.

Heather Borlenghi · Answer

That includes bathing, cooking, cleaning, restroom assistance. you have to get prior authorization from your doctor.

Fred Manas · Answer

Medicare covers certain home health services, including intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medical social services, & home health aide care (when needed alongside skilled services). It also covers medical supplies, durable medical equipment, & injectable osteoporosis drugs for eligible women. 
Here's a more detailed breakdown: Skilled Nursing Care: This includes services provided by a licensed nurse, like wound care, teaching self-injection, managing & evaluating care plans, & monitoring unstable health conditions. It also includes IV therapy, nutrition therapy, & injections.  Therapy Services: Medicare covers physical, occupational, & speech-language pathology services when they're deemed medically necessary & ordered by a doctor.  These services can help improve mobility, daily living skills, & communication.  Medical Social Services: Medical social workers can help with things like managing care plans, accessing community resources, & providing emotional support.  Home Health Aide Care: This includes help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, & feeding, but only if it's provided alongside skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services.  Other Covered Items: Medical Supplies:  This includes items like wound dressings, catheters, & other supplies needed for treatment at home.  Durable Medical Equipment (DME):  Medicare covers things like wheelchairs, walkers, & oxygen equipment that are medically necessary for use in the home.  Injectable Osteoporosis Drugs:  Women who meet certain criteria may be eligible for coverage of injectable osteoporosis drugs.  Important Considerations:  To qualify for Medicare home health benefits, you generally need to be homebound & have a doctor's order.  Medicare covers services that are medically necessary & part of a plan of care developed by a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Steve Brauer · Answer

If someone is considered home bound and requires skilled care, AND is certified by a physician, Medicare will pay for some of the costs of Home Health Care. Medicare Advantage plans also have coverage for Home Health Care and differs from carrier to carrier.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Home health care includes getting a medical professional to help you with medical needs that is part of the Medicare supplement plans 
If you have Medicare advantage plan that might be different 
But basically you could have someone come into your home and help you with your medical needs 365 days a year and that would be cover under your Medicare part b and your Medicare supplement plan at no cost after you paid your annual deductible which this year is $257 
If you'd like to discuss this in more detail, give me a call. My phone number is 737-530-4626 pick option two. If I'm busy just leave a message and I'll call you back

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

can cover a range of home health care services, including skilled nursing care, therapy, and medical supplies. Skilled Nursing Care,  Therapy,  home health aides, social services, telehealth,.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Home Health is usually on a short-term basis. For example: You had surgery that required a hospital stay and possibly some time in rehab. When you are discharged to home, your doctor can order a home health professional to come see you so many hours per week until recovered.

Answered by Marcie Barnes on April 13, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Salmon · Answer

Medicare Part A and Part B have benefits for home health services. These can include skilled nursing and physical therapy. You will need to qualify and have a medical need for these services and be homebound. This does not include 24 hour home care.

Answered by Mary Salmon on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Leisha Stevens · Answer

Medicare's home health care coverage primarily includes skilled nursing care, therapies (physical, occupational, speech), and medical social services, provided in a part-time or intermittent basis. It also covers certain medical supplies, durable medical equipment, and home health aide services (only if you're also receiving skilled nursing or therapy).

Answered by Leisha Stevens on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, CA, FL & NC

Answered by Leisha Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Ameen Abdulkareem · Answer

Some of the coverage include: Physical Therapy, Speech and language therapy, Skill Nursing Care and sometimes social services. It focus on short term care to help the patient get back on their feet.

Answered by Ameen Abdulkareem on April 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in CT, MI, NC, NY & VA

Answered by Ameen Abdulkareem Medicare Insurance Agent

Heidi Broberg · Answer

1. It generally includes skilled nursing care, like administering medications or wound care, and home health aide services for help with personal care like bathing and dressing. 

2  Medicare also covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology to help you regain or maintain your abilities. 

Keep in mind that to qualify, a doctor must certify that you need these services..

Ed Gonzales · Answer

Both Medicare Part A and Part B can cover home health care, depending on the reason for needing the services. Part A covers home health care after a hospital stay or skilled nursing facility stay, while Part B covers home health care for medical needs outside of those situations. This is general information that I can legally give you. I can not go over any specific details or plans without you granting me written permission to contact you directly.

Answered by Ed Gonzales on May 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Ed Gonzales Medicare Insurance Agent

I've heard Medicare covers home health care, but what exactly does that include?

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I've heard Medicare covers home health care, but what exactly does that include?

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