In-home health care is a valuable Medicare benefit, yet one many people overlook when first getting started with Medicare. But when the time comes for an individual or someone in their family to receive additional assistance to live safely at home, these home care services can provide much needed support.
Learn more about in-home health care in relation to Medicare by reading through these frequently asked questions.
What Are In-Home Health Care Services?
Also called home care, these services refer to the medical care or assisted care given to individuals who do not require full-time care at a skilled nursing facility but need additional support to continue living in their own home.
Does Medicare Cover In-Home Health Care?
Some home care services are covered by Medicare Part A and Part B (also known as Original Medicare).
Covered services include:
- In-home physical therapy
- Injectable Osteoporosis drugs
- Occupational therapy
- Medical supplies for at-home use
- Part-time / intermittent skilled nursing care (no more than eight hours per day and 28 hours per week)
Services not covered by Medicare include:
- 24-hour a day at-home care
- Meal delivery
- Homemaker services ( shopping, cleaning, laundry) that aren’t related to your care plan
Here is the complete list of services covered and not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B.
Who is Eligible for In-Home Health Care?
Anyone enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B can be eligible for in-home care coverage if they meet each of the following conditions:
- Under the care of a doctor, and are getting services under an established care plan created and reviewed regularly by a doctor.
- Certified by a doctor as needing intermittent occupational therapy, physical therapy, skilled nursing care and/or speech-language therapy.
- Certified by a doctor as homebound, meaning he or she is unable to leave home without considerable effort, the aid of another person, or a device such as a wheelchair or a walker.
Individuals not eligible for home health care are those who need more than part-time or “intermittent” skilled nursing care.
Who Provides In-Home Health Care Services?
There are more than 11,000 home health agencies operating in the United States, each with their own benefits, specialities, and out-of-pocket expenses. It’s important to know that Medicare must approve the home health agency to be included as part of Original Medicare coverage.
Choose an agency that caters to your specific health care needs, and be sure to ask about coverage inclusions, costs, and level of services.
Medicare advisors at Medicare Choice Group can help you find the agency that’s right for you, and we can advise on additional benefit options offered through Medicare Advantage Plans.
Whether you need in-home health care services now or simply want to be prepared should you need it, connect with our team of experts online or give us a call at (855) 482-0574.
