Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care? 5 Things We Discovered.
Yes, Medicare does cover home health care, but it’s important to note that this coverage is limited to specific types of skilled medical care. Custodial or personal care services are not included. If you meet the eligibility criteria, both Medicare Part A and Part B will cover home health services at 100%, meaning there is no cost-sharing for covered services, provided you use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
What Medicare Covers
- Skilled nursing care (including wound care, IV therapy, injections, and monitoring of serious illnesses)
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology services
- Medical social services
- Home health aide services—only when receiving skilled nursing or therapy
What Medicare Does NOT Cover
- 24-hour home care or continuous custodial care
- Personal care only (such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation) without skilled nursing
- Homemaker services (including cleaning, cooking, and running errands)
- Meals delivered to your home
Eligibility Requirements
| Homebound status | You must be homebound—leaving home requires considerable effort. |
| Physician’s order | A doctor must certify that you need home health services and create a care plan. |
| Skilled care need | You must require skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. |
| Medicare-certified agency | Services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. |
How Long Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?
Medicare covers home health care for as long as you remain eligible. There is no fixed number of days for coverage. It continues as long as your doctor certifies an ongoing need every 60 days, and you remain homebound while requiring skilled care.
Yes, Medicare does cover home health care, but it’s important to note that this coverage is limited to specific types of skilled medical care. Custodial or personal care services are not included. If you meet the eligibility criteria, both Medicare Part A and Part B will cover home health services at 100%, meaning there is no cost-sharing for covered services, provided you use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
What Medicare Covers
- Skilled nursing care (including wound care, IV therapy, injections, and monitoring of serious illnesses)
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology services
- Medical social services
- Home health aide services—only when receiving skilled nursing or therapy
What Medicare Does NOT Cover
- 24-hour home care or continuous custodial care
- Personal care only (such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation) without skilled nursing
- Homemaker services (including cleaning, cooking, and running errands)
- Meals delivered to your home
Eligibility Requirements
| Homebound status | You must be homebound—leaving home requires considerable effort. |
| Physician’s order | A doctor must certify that you need home health services and create a care plan. |
| Skilled care need | You must require skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. |
| Medicare-certified agency | Services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. |
How Long Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?
Medicare covers home health care for as long as you remain eligible. There is no fixed number of days for coverage. It continues as long as your doctor certifies an ongoing need every 60 days, and you remain homebound while requiring skilled care.
