Does Medicare cover home health? A checklist
Medicare covers home health care fully — no copay — when four things are true at once. Work through these.
All four must be true
- A doctor has certified that home health care is needed, following a face-to-face visit
- Skilled care is needed — nursing, or physical, speech or occupational therapy — not only help with bathing and meals
- The person is "homebound": leaving home takes considerable and taxing effort. It does NOT mean bedbound — medical appointments, religious services, adult day programs and occasional outings are all allowed
- The agency providing care is Medicare-certified
What it costs
$0
For covered home health visits
No deductible, no copay
20%
Of durable medical equipment
Wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds
60 days
Per certification period
Renewable as long as care is still needed
What is and is not covered
| Covered by Medicare | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Skilled nursing visits | 24-hour care at home |
| Physical, speech, occupational therapy | Meal delivery |
| Wound care and injections | Homemaker services like shopping and cleaning |
| Medical social services | Personal care alone, when that is the ONLY care needed |
| Home health aide, if skilled care is also being given | Long-term custodial care |