What home health actually does
"Home health" and "home care" sound alike and are not the same thing. This is the difference, and it decides who pays.
Home health vs home care
| Home health (medical) | Home care (personal) |
|---|---|
| Skilled nursing visits | Bathing and dressing |
| Physical, occupational, speech therapy | Meal preparation |
| Wound and pressure sore care | Light housekeeping |
| Injections, IV, catheter and tube care | Companionship |
| Ordered by a doctor | Arranged by the family |
| Covered by Medicare when you qualify | Paid privately, or through IHSS if eligible |
How it works
24 hrs
Typical first contact after a referral
Then a nurse visits to assess
1-3x
Visits per week, typically
Based on the clinical need, not a fixed schedule
60 days
Certification period
Renewed if care is still needed