Yes, Medicare covers home health care—but only specific types of skilled medical care, not custodial or personal care. If you meet the eligibility criteria, Medicare Part A and Part B both cover home health services at 100% (no cost-sharing for covered services), as long as you use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
What Medicare Covers
Skilled nursing care (wound care, IV therapy, injections, monitoring of serious illness)
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech-language pathology services
Medical social services
Home health aide services — only when also receiving skilled nursing or therapy
What Medicare Does NOT Cover
24-hour home care or continuous custodial care
Personal care only (bathing, dressing, meal preparation) without skilled nursing
Homemaker services (cleaning, cooking, errands)
Meals delivered to your home
Eligibility Requirements
Homebound status
You must be homebound—leaving home requires considerable effort
Physician’s order
A doctor must certify you need home health services and create a care plan
Skilled care need
You must need skilled nursing, PT, OT, or speech therapy
Medicare-certified agency
Services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency
How Long Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?
Medicare covers home health care for as long as you remain eligible—there is no fixed number of days. Coverage continues if your doctor certifies ongoing need every 60 days and you remain homebound and require skilled care.
