Millions of Americans rely on Medicare to provide health benefits. It exists, in part, because of the advanced health needs of senior citizens. Indeed, as you age, your recovery time from illnesses might become longer. You might even need skilled home health workers to take care of you. But, the question is, will these services have coverage under Medicare?
Qualifying for Medicare home health services will depend on your specific needs. You must work with your Medicare provider and your doctor to understand your qualifications. If you need to start the process, don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation.
What is home health care?
Home health care come into play when your health indicates that you need certain care in your own home. Generally, this is intermittent (not round-the-clock) care that supports your overall wellness without hospitalization. Some home health services might include:
- Physical therapy
- Skilled nursing care
- Wound care
- Medication help Other services like meal planning, cleaning and hygiene help might also prove necessary.
Eligibility for Home Care with Medicare
If you need home health care, you are in luck. Medicare often covers the cost of many of these needs. But, there’s a catch.
Not every service will qualify as a home health service according to Medicare. While you might think certain home health needs are necessary, Medicare might disagree. So, you’ll need to work with your doctor to determine the right action.
- Generally, to get coverage, the home health care must prove medically necessary. In other words, your doctor will likely have to order this care specifically.
- Medicare will typically cover services that only a trained nurse, physician or other professional can perform. For example, wound care, catheterization and physical therapy might have coverage. Other services and equipment that accompany such services will also likely have coverage.
- Yet, simple aspects of care, such as hygiene care, might not have coverage under Medicare. For example, if you only need help bathing and dressing, you might not qualify for coverage. However, if these services accompany professional skilled care, Medicare might still apply.
- Keep in mind, you often must receive care through a service that is Medicare-approved.
If you are not sure whether you qualify for covered home health care, talk to your doctor. They can often assess whether you need home health services. They’ll also help you through the Medicare approval process. For more information, talk to one of our agents at 877-209-4949 about the exact coverage offered by your Medicare.