Does Medicare cover home health care? Who qualifies and what's included

Who qualifies

1. 1

   You're homebound

   Both must be true: you need help, a cane or walker, a wheelchair or special transportation to leave home (or leaving isn't recommended because of your condition), and you normally can't leave home because it takes a major effort. Trips for medical care, adult day care, religious services, and occasional short outings are allowed.
2. 2

   You need skilled care

   Part-time skilled nursing, physical or speech therapy, or continued occupational therapy. Needing only blood drawn doesn't qualify.
3. 3

   A doctor orders it

   A doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist sets up your care plan and reviews it at least every 60 days. You must have been seen for the condition within 90 days before care starts or 30 days after.
4. 4

   The agency is Medicare-certified

   Medicare only pays agencies it has certified.

A hospital stay isn't required. Care isn't limited to people who can get better: therapy to keep you from getting worse can be covered too.

What's covered, and what isn't

Covered

Part-time skilled nursing; physical, occupational and speech therapy; home health aide help with personal care while you get skilled care; medical social services; and medical supplies like wound dressings.

How much

Skilled nursing and aide care combined must be under 8 hours a day and 28 hours or fewer a week (up to 35 in some cases).

Not covered

24-hour care, meals delivered to your home, shopping, cleaning and laundry unrelated to your care plan, or personal care like bathing and dressing when that's the only care you need.

For help with daily living over the long term, look at Medicaid home care programs, if you qualify, or private help. Medicare doesn't cover long-term custodial care.

What you pay

Home health visits

$0. No deductible or copay.

Medical equipment

20% of the Medicare-approved amount for things like a walker or hospital bed, after the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).

Before anything Medicare may not cover

The agency must tell you, in writing, what Medicare won't pay and what you'd owe.

With Medicare Advantage, home health is covered too, but your plan may require an agency in its network and approval first.

Choosing an agency

You choose the agency, from the Medicare-certified ones that serve your area, and you can switch. Compare them on Medicare.gov's Care Compare, which shows star ratings for quality and patient surveys.

• Be wary of anyone offering free items in exchange for your Medicare number, or billing for visits you didn't get. Report it to 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

If your care is ending or cut back

If all your Medicare-covered home health care is ending, the agency must give you a notice at least 2 days before. If you think it's too soon, call the reviewer named on the notice (your state's BFCC-QIO) for a fast appeal. If your care is only being reduced, the agency must tell you in writing first; ask it how to appeal. How appeals work.

Common questions

Keep reading

• Does Medicare cover medical equipment? Walkers, wheelchairs, CPAP, oxygen and moreWhat Part B pays for walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP machines, oxygen and glucose monitors, the rent-or-buy rules, how to avoid paying more at the supplier, and what isn't covered.
• Does Medicare cover nursing home care? Skilled nursing vs. long-term careMedicare covers short-term skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days, but not long-term nursing home care. The 3-day rule, 2026 costs, and what to do when coverage ends.
• How the Medicare hospice benefit worksWho qualifies for hospice under Medicare, what it covers at home or in a facility, what it costs (usually nothing), what happens to your other care and Medicare Advantage plan, and your right to change your mind.