Clients with limited physical abilities that wish to stay in their home environment while receiving medical treatment are eligible for home health. Medicare guidelines require:

• A physician’s order and a skilled nursing need in addition to homebound status.

• You must need one or more of the following skilled needs that require the attention of a professional: skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy.

• The home care agency caring for you must be Medicare-certified.

• Homebound does not mean “housebound” but leaving the home takes considerable and taxing effort and the patient must require assistance to leave the home. 

Medicare pays for 100% of home care services and private insurance companies may cover a range of home care services. For Medicare, the patient will not be billed. If a patient only has private insurance, a patient might be billed a portion of the fee not covered by the insurance plan. You will be notified if there is a portion that will not be covered by your insurance plan or Medicare upon admission.