One of the biggest misconceptions that keep many individuals from the comfort of home health care is the worry that Medicare won’t cover any costs.
Fortunately, for those living with Medicare, home health is a completely viable option if constant visits to the hospital or third-party health centers aren’t something they desire.
Let’s take a closer look at how Medicare covers home health care, what isn’t covered, and why your family should use Medicare, if possible, for its home health needs.
Who Qualifies for Home Health Coverage?
While anyone who wants to pay for home health coverage can select the healthcare option, if an individual needs assistance from Medicare, they must qualify for home health coverage.
According to AARP.org, in order to be eligible for home health benefits through Medicare, a person must meet all of the following requirements:
- An individual must be homebound and unable to leave without a walker, wheelchair, or personal assistance
- A doctor says an individual requires skilled nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy
- Home health care starts no sooner than 30 days before/90 days after the doctor’s recommendation for care
- A patient is under a strict plan of care that a doctor regularly reviews
- The home health agency you desire is Medicare-approved
Once all 5 of these standards are met, an individual can reap the benefits of Medicare coverage and comfortable home health care.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare covers a wide range of home health services. The following home health services are available under Medicare coverage:
- Medical Social Services
- Home Health Aides
- Skilled Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Physical Therapy
Aside from the extensive services our healthcare programs provide, Medicare also offers coverage for medical supplies such as:
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
- Catheters
- Wound Dressings.
Keep in mind that for most medical supplies, the covered individual pays 20 percent while Medicare covers the remainder of the costs.
What Does Medicare Not Pay For?
As wide as Medicare’s coverage is for individuals that want care from home, it, unfortunately, can’t cover every need.
Before seeking Medicare benefits for home health coverage, they must remember that the center of this type of coverage is healthcare itself. Some of the home health areas that Medicare doesn’t cover include the following:
- 24-hour home care
- Personal and custodial care when no other care needs are required
- Meals that get delivered to the home from delivery services like Meals on Wheels, Doordash, or Grub Hub
- Homemaking services when health care services are not needed
Learn More About Medicare and Home Health With Angel Home Healthcare Services
If you still have questions about Medicare and how Angel Home Healthcare Services works with it, we are eager to help you get the answers you need.
Our team of home health specialists currently accepts Medicare and most Medicare Advantage Plans. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get your essential coverage questions answered for your loved one’s peace of mind.