Last Updated on November 6, 2023 by Lori Pace
Home healthcare services can be a great option if you have a medical condition that prevents mobility. You can rely on home care providers to provide you with the best care possible. So, we all ask, ‘Does Medicare Cover Home HealthCare?’. Let’s find out in this article!
If you’re homebound, most often, Original Medicare’s Part A or Part B will cover the cost for home care services.
Medicare often covers certain in-home services, as well as your daily needs during recovery from a severe illness, injury, or major surgery. But, if you are looking for coverage for long-term home care, you will need to find out if Medicare covers it.
Does Medicare pay for Home Healthcare or Caregivers?
Medicare will only pay for home care expenses if you have the right kind of homecare, for what reason and for how long. So, here are some examples of home healthcare covered by Medicare:
For In-Home Medical Care
If you meet the following conditions, you may be eligible for Medicare cost coverage if you are housebound from a serious illness.
- Except for short periods of time, inability to leave the home except for medical visits or religious services. You are also eligible for Medicare homecare expense coverage, even if you receive treatment at an adult daycare facility.
- Your doctor has confirmed that you need homecare and has prescribed a plan to provide the care you require.
- Skilled nursing care is required for less than 8 hours per day and less that 28 hours per week. This can be for up to three weeks.
- Your doctor will expect your condition to improve in a short time.
- To improve or prevent your current state of health from getting worse, you will need skilled speech, occupational, and physical therapists.
- You may need to have home care assistance in order to fully recover.
- You also need a home healthcare agency that offers Medicare-approved and certified services.
Medicare pays for many types of home care services. So, below are some of the services that Medicare covers and how you can apply for care.
Physiotherapy
Medicare will most likely cover the cost of a physical therapist who provides treatment at your home, such as:
- Condition assessment
- Exercise and gait training are part of the healing process following surgery, illness, or neurological problems.
- Care for post-surgical wounds
- Wound care for burns, lesions and injuries
Occupational Therapy
Medicare will cover occupational therapy costs at home if you require it, such as:
- Setting up a daily schedule for medication, personal care and meal planning
- Training to reduce stress and conserve energy
- Safely complete daily tasks
- Regaining functional skills
- Carrying doctor’s orders
Speech Therapy
Medicare will cover the cost of home care services for a speech therapist, such as:
- The treatment of words to remember and recognize
- Treatment to improve your swallowing ability
- Therapy to help you eat normally
- Learning about communication alternatives in the event of speech impairment
- Learn new communication methods
Nursing Care
So, Medicare will cover the costs of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse visiting you at your home to treat you.
- Change of dressings
- Injecting medications
- Changing catheter
- Tube feedings
- Administration of IV medications
- We will educate you on how to take care of your medications and yourself.
Home Care Aides
Medicare will pay for home care aides if you need them to come to your home and treat you.
- Monitor your vital stats including heart rate and body temperature.
- Ensure that you follow all instructions from your doctor when taking medication
- Assess your situation and needs to determine if your home can be considered safe.
- Verify that your diet is in line with the doctor’s recommendations.
In-Home Custodial Care
Medicare does not normally cover caregivers who help patients with daily activities unless they are required for a brief time such as while you are healing from an illness or injury.
Custodial care at home usually involved meal preparation, delivery, laundry, shopping and housekeeping. However, Medicare does not cover these services. So, Medicare doesn’t cover the costs of:
- Home care available round-the-clock
- Services of a full-time skilled nurse
- Transport
Conclusion of Does Medicare pay for Home Healthcare?
So, does Medicare cover home healthcare? The short answer is ‘Yes’, but there are some aspects you need to consider.
Medicare will pay for home care services for short periods of time, such as those needed to recover from a serious injury or illness.
These services include speech therapy, occupational therapy and skilled nursing. Medicare won’t cover the cost of in-home care beyond what is necessary for personal and housekeeping services.
