If you or a loved one needs medical care at home, you may be wondering: Does Medicare cover home health care? The answer is yes—but only under specific conditions.
Let’s break it down so you know what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to qualify.
Table of Contents
- What Is Home Health Care?
- What Medicare Covers
- Eligibility Requirements
- What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
- What About Medicare Advantage Plans?
- Final Word
What Is Home Health Care?
Home health care includes skilled medical services provided in your home, such as:
- Nursing care (e.g., wound care, medication management)
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Help with daily activities (in certain cases)
It’s meant to be short-term care while recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery—not long-term custodial care.
What Medicare Covers
Under Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), you may qualify for:
- Skilled nursing care (part-time)
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Home health aide (if receiving skilled care)
- Medical social services
- Certain medical supplies
📌 Learn more about Medicare services and benefits
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Medicare-covered home health care, all of the following must apply:
- You must be under the care of a doctor
- Your doctor must certify that you are homebound (it’s difficult to leave home without help)
- You must need skilled services (like nursing or therapy—not just personal care)
- The services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency
👉 Looking for help with eligibility or agency coordination? Talk to our home care team
What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
- 24/7 at-home care
- Meal delivery
- Homemaker services (like cleaning or laundry)
- Custodial care only (help with bathing, dressing, etc. if you don’t also need skilled care)
For those services, you may need Medicaid or private long-term care coverage.
🧠 Need both skilled care and help with daily activities? Explore your Medicaid or MLTC options here
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What About Medicare Advantage Plans?
Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include:
- Expanded home care benefits
- Meal delivery
- Transportation
- In-home caregiver support
Coverage varies widely by plan, so it’s important to compare your options.
👉 See Medicare Advantage home care benefits in New York
Final Word
Yes—Medicare covers home health care, but only for short-term medical needs, and only when strict criteria are met. If you’re unsure whether you or a loved one qualifies, don’t navigate it alone.📞 Visit SecureSafer.com or call (646) 444-2020
Live chat available Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Our experts can help you understand your benefits, find care providers, and apply with ease.
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