What does Medicare coverage for home health care include?

Medicare coverage for home health care includes full approved costs for visits from participating health agencies, which encompasses a broad range of services designed to assist individuals in their homes. This can include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and other medically necessary services delivered by a licensed home health agency.

Medicare requires that the services are ordered by a physician and that the patient is homebound, meaning leaving home is a significant challenge due to their medical condition. This coverage is particularly valuable because it alleviates some of the financial burdens associated with receiving necessary care in a more comfortable home setting, rather than in a hospital or rehab facility.

In contrast, rehabilitation services alone do not represent the full spectrum of care covered under Medicare's home health benefit, since this includes various other services as well. Limiting coverage to a specific number of visits would not accurately reflect Medicare's provisions, which do not impose a strict cap on the number of visits as long as the care is deemed necessary. Non-medical services are also outside the scope of what Medicare home health benefits cover, emphasizing the importance of medical necessity in determining eligible services.