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.
Part of our Medicare Guide. Costs, enrollment deadlines, Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, Part D and what Medicare covers, all in one place. See the full guide →
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