Medicare will cover 100% of the costs for medically necessary home health care, provided that care is “part time or intermittent.” The care needed must be less than 28 hours per week. The average cost of home health care in 2024 is $29.50 per hour, but it can vary greatly by state.
Many seniors opt for home health care if they require some support but do not want to move into an assisted living community. For seniors who are generally in good health but require help with the activities of daily living, or someone to remind them to take medication, home health care is a viable solution.
Medicare Covers Medically Necessary Home Health Services
Medicare does not usually cover the cost of non-medical home care aides if that is the only type of assistance that a senior needs. However, a senior who is homebound or requires physiotherapy, occupational health support or other medical assistance in the home may receive assistance with the cost of home health care on a part-time basis via Medicare.
Medicare will cover 100% of the costs for part-time home health services. Part-time means no more than 8 hours per day, with a max of 28 hours in one week. To qualify for home health benefits under original Medicare, a person must have a diagnosis and a relevant prescription from a qualified medical professional. Any home health services must be prescribed by a doctor and reasonably priced, so it’s important to check the costs of home health services in your area before choosing a provider.
Medicare Advantage May Offer More Comprehensive Coverage
Private insurance companies run Medicare Advantage. Those companies are regulated by Medicare and must provide the same basic level of coverage as Original Medicare. However, they also offer additional coverage known as “supplemental health care benefits.”
These benefits can be used to cover the cost of health care or medical equipment that could reduce the risk of injury, reduce the impact of lost mobility or injury or help a person maintain their health and independence.
Medicare Advantage covers many services that are excluded from original Medicare. Individual insurers are permitted to exercise discretion when deciding what services to offer under supplemental benefits, so Medicare Advantage customers should contact their insurers to discuss their options before deciding on a care plan.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
