Home Health Care Medicare Coverage
Medicare coverage for home health care may help alleviate some of the financial strain after an injury, illness or other situation. Home health care is a range of services given to you in your home, often after an injury or illness.
Some examples of home health care services include:
Wound care
Patient and caregiver education
Injections
Intravenous or nutrition therapy
Monitoring serious illness
Do You Have To Get Medicare At Age 65?
Making this decision depends on several factors, including how you get health insurance now, as well as the size of your employer. Typically, you don’t have to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 if you have health insurance through other means, such as your employer, your spouse’s plan or through private insurance. In these cases, you can wait until you or your spouse stops working or you lose your health insurance for another reason.What Types of Services Might You Receive?
Medicare home health services vary based on your situation. These skilled nursing services can be provided up to seven days a week, for a total of 28 hours maximum. You may be provided one or more of the following services:
Wound care
Care plan management
Medicare social services
Medicare supplies related to home health care
Regular care ( i.e., injections, catheter changes, observations, assessments)
Skilled therapy services (i.e., physical therapy, speech-language pathology occupational therapy)
Medicare can also provide coverage for home health aides who provide personal care services like bathing, dressing and toileting. But keep in mind that Medicare will not pay for a Medicare home health aide if it is the only required service needed and you do not need additional skilled care.
Understanding Your Policy and Coverage
Understanding the Medicare guidelines for home health orders is critical to ensuring you receive the level of care you need and manage your financial responsibilities properly. Original Medicare — including Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B — and Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) can provide this coverage. However, costs depend on the service and coverage plan unique to each person.