I've heard Medicare covers home health care, but what exactly does that include?
Answered by 50 licensed agents
Answered by Steve Houchens on April 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in KY & TN
Answered by Gary Church on October 8, 2025
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Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ & CA
You should also look into Long Term Care for more benefits also
Answered by Mike Alexander on December 17, 2025
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Bankers Life, per Forbes, is the best LTC in the country!
Answered by Norman Smith on July 20, 2025
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Answered by Ann Sanfelippo on March 18, 2026
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Answered by Bill Wheeler on August 11, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY & IN
You aren’t typically eligible for Medicare home health benefits if you need full-time skilled nursing care for an extended time period. Medicare covers specific services. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, medical social services, medical supplies, and other services provided in your home. Recent changes to the law may allow for the increased ability to use telehealth.
If there are any home-based services that Medicare will not cover, your home health agency must advise you in writing through something called an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN). If you disagree with Medicare’s decision to not provide coverage, you may be able to file an appeal.
Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on October 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & TN
Answered by John Becker on December 8, 2025
Agent Licensed in WI & MN
Answered by Steven Lovell on May 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 11 other states
Covered services include skilled nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and medical social services.
Medicare typically pays 100% of the approved costs for these services.
Eligibility Requirements:
Homebound: You have difficulty leaving your home without help, and it is a major effort to do so.
Skilled care: You need part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care or therapy services.
Doctor's order: A doctor or other qualified healthcare provider must certify that you need home health services and order your care.
Medicare-certified agency: Services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Services that may be covered:
Skilled nursing care: Wound care, injections, and education on managing a condition.
Therapy: Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy.
Medical social services: Help with social and emotional issues related to your illness.
Home health aide: Medicare will pay for an aide if you also need skilled care, but not if you only need personal care.
What is generally not covered:
24-hour care: Medicare does not cover around-the-clock care at home.
Homemaker services: Shopping, cleaning, and meal delivery are typically not covered.
Custodial care: Help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating is generally not covered, though it may be included as part of a care plan that also includes skilled care.
Answered by Steven Litzsinger on November 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO & IL
Answered by Cheri Rogers on May 19, 2026
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Answered by Mike Odle on October 23, 2025
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Answered by Joanna Finnegan on August 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in ID, AR, AZ & 31 other states
Answered by Mark Garrett on October 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 19 other states
(Licensed Insurance Agent — For Educational Purposes Only)
Yes, Medicare does cover certain home health care services — but it’s important to know what qualifies.
Medicare covers part-time or intermittent skilled care that’s considered medically necessary and ordered by your doctor. This type of care can be provided in your home after a hospital stay, a skilled nursing facility stay, or even as part of your doctor’s treatment plan.
* Covered services may include:
* Wound care
* Intravenous (IV) injections or medications
* Physical, speech, or occupational therapy
* Skilled nursing care
* Medical supplies related to your condition
To qualify, you must be under a doctor’s care, and the home health agency must be Medicare-certified.
If you’d like, I can walk you through the details and help you understand which services may apply to your personal situation.
(Reference: Medicare.gov – Home Health Services Coverage)
__________________
Disclosures:
Medicare does not cover long-term care. Please do not confuse long-term care with home health care.
Medicare / CMS Disclosure
For educational purposes only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Plan availability and benefits vary by ZIP code and individual eligibility.
Answered by Janix Barbosa-LLanos on November 17, 2025
Broker Licensed in NM
Answered by Mary Green on October 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in AL, CO, FL, GA, TN & VA
Answered by Donna Lueders on October 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, GA, LA, NC & SC
cover eligible home health services as long as you need part-time or intermittent skilled services and you’re “homebound”. Covered home health services include medically necessary part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care.
Medicare does not pay for 24-hour-a-day care at your home, home meal delivery, homemaker services (like shopping and cleaning) unrelated to your care plan, 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.
Answered by Joseph Mullen on July 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in NY, CT, FL & 5 other states
If you have Original Medicare and have questions about your home health care benefits with your conditions or any conditions, visit Medicare.gov, or just call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you receive your Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can call your insurance carrier to see what is covered and to get their help in this matter
Thx
Answered by David Didier on November 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA & TX
Answered by Jennifer Zimmerle on July 21, 2025
Agent Licensed in LA, MS & TX
Answered by Ashley Broussard on May 4, 2026
Broker Licensed in LA, AR, AZ, MS & TX
Answered by Steven Bleicher on July 13, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
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.
Answered by Diana Garner on May 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN
Otherwise a Home Health plan with Aetna or Long Term Care is something to consider.
Answered by Kristen Skinner on October 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in OK
Answered by Priscilla Ramos on March 28, 2026
Agent Licensed in OH, AZ, FL & 5 other states
Answered by Mary Salmon on May 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX & OK
Answered by Zachary Whitaker on May 18, 2026
Broker Licensed in NC, AL, FL & 13 other states
Answered by Heather Borlenghi on April 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in GA, AL, AR & 15 other states
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.
Answered by Fred Manas on May 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on April 21, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states
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, you can contact me.
Answered by Gary Henderson on April 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states
Answered by Andrew Kramer on October 22, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Marcie Barnes on April 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states
Basically, Medicare covers you if you are hospitilized and in need of a follow up care for a few hours to change your dressings, bandages, wound care, etc, and then then you would need to receive services from a Medicare certified home Health Care agency. Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy would happen if you are under the care of a doctor who certifies that you need the therapy to recover.
Answered by Jeffrey Sodikoff on October 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Adam Morillo on August 5, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 48 other states
Answered by Bud Griffin on June 23, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Leisha Stevens on April 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, CA, FL & NC
Answered by Daniel Underwood on August 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA
Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
Patient and caregiver education
Intravenous or nutrition therapy
Injections
Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services (if you meet certain conditions)
Medical social services
Part-time or intermittent home health aide care (only if you’re also getting skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, or occupational therapy at the same time), like:
Help with walking
Bathing or grooming
Changing bed linens
Feeding
Injectable osteoporosis drugs for women who meet certain criteria
Durable medical equipment
Medical supplies for use at home
Answered by Theodore Carpenter on August 25, 2025
Broker Licensed in IA, AZ, IL & TN
Answered by Daniel Matar on August 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in GA, FL, NC & OH
Answered by Martha Lopez-Elkind on September 29, 2025
Agent Licensed in NV
Answered by Mila Grayevsky on February 16, 2026
Broker Licensed in NY, FL, NC, NJ & TX
Answered by Korina Medrano on September 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, FL & MD
Home Health Aides: Medicare only pays for a home health aide (to help with bathing or dressing) if you are also receiving skilled nursing or therapy.
Medical Social Services: Counseling to help with social or emotional concerns related to your illness.
Medical Supplies: Items like catheters or wound dressings provided by the home health agency. Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital
beds, and other equipment)
Answered by Annette Newman on February 16, 2026
Broker Licensed in CA, NE & TX
- Part-Time or Intermittent Skilled Nursing Care: Services like wound care, injections, or monitoring of serious conditions, provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
- Physical Therapy: To help regain movement or strength after an injury or illness.
- Occupational Therapy: To assist with daily activities like dressing or eating.
- Speech-Language Pathology Services: For issues with speech, swallowing, or communication.
- Medical Social Services: Counseling or help with social resources, like finding community support.
- Home Health Aide Services: Limited assistance with personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing), but only if you’re also receiving skilled nursing or therapy.
To qualify, you must meet the following conditions:
1) You must be homebound (unable to leave home without significant effort or assistance)
2) Services must be ordered by a doctor as part of a care plan.
3) The home health agency must be Medicare-certified.
Note: Coverage is under Medicare Part A or Part B, with no cost for services, but a 20% coinsurance may apply for durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs).
Exclusions: Medicare doesn’t cover 24/7 in-home care, homemaker services (like cleaning or cooking) if that’s the only care needed, or meals delivered to your home. For specifics, check with your doctor or Medicare agent or broker, as coverage will depend on your situation.
Answered by Michelle Setchell on August 18, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
Answered by Ed Gonzales on May 21, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX
Answered by Ameen Abdulkareem on April 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in CT, MI, NC, NY & VA
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..
Answered by Heidi Broberg on April 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, FL & 6 other states
Tags: Coverage Medicare Part A
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