Eligibility & Payment

To have your home health care covered by Medicare, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• You must be under the care of a doctor and receiving care services under a plan of care established and regularly reviewed by your doctor.
• Your doctor must certify that you are in need of one or more of the following:
  • Intermittent skilled nursing care
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
• The home health agency you hire must be Medicare certified.
• You must be homebound, which means:
  • Leaving your home isn’t recommended because of your condition
  • Your condition keeps you from leaving home without help (wheelchair, walker, needing special transportation, getting help from another person)

Medicare covers skilled nursing services; physical, occupational and speech therapies; medical social services (under the direction of your physician); and certain medical supplies and equipment.

Home health care may also be covered under your health insurance plan. Check with your provider to discover whether or not you’re covered.