In home health care services are provided to seniors who need medical care in the home to recover from injury or surgery. Many people become confused between in home health care and non-medical home health care. There is a difference and it’s important that you know how they are different when it comes to knowing if Medicare will cover in home health care services.
About In-Home Health Care Services
People who receive in home health care services may have recently been hospitalized. These people require additional health monitoring and medical care.
What services are provided by home health care?
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Blood Sugar Checks
- Changing Out Dressings
- Check Vitals
- Assess Recovery Progress
- Provide Therapies
In-home health care services are usually the one that the hospital would provide but they can be performed at home because high-tech medical equipment isn’t required.
Who provides home health care services?
Skilled professionals provide home health care services. These are some of the ones that may off those services:
- Registered Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physicians
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Speech Therapists
As you can see, the services are from health care professionals and certified or licensed practitioners.
The problem is that people who receive in home health care services may also need other services besides what they need for medical stability. For those services, seniors require home care.
Home Care Services for Seniors
Home care services for seniors help with non-medical needs. These services may include:
- Housecleaning
- Medication Monitoring
- Meal Preparation
- Meal Planning
- Grocery Shopping
- Grooming
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Companionship
- Transportation
- Walking Support
The above personal care falls under a category called activities of daily living (ADLs).
The difference between in home health care services and home care is that most seniors need home care services when they have in home health care services, while those who have home care services don’t always need in home health care services. This is one of the disadvantages of home health care services.
Medicare Coverage for In Home Health Care Services
Medicare does cover in home health care services for those who qualify.
Who qualifies for home health care services?
- People who have been deemed homebound by their healthcare provider.
- Those who require skilled nursing care at home to recovery from an injury or surgery.
Medicare’s home health benefit covers skilled nursing care services up to seven days per week for no more than eight hours per day and 28 hours per week. For those who need additional care, Medicare provides up to 35 hours per week but this is granted on a case-by-case basis.
Medicare may pay for in home health care services for up to 60 days at a time. A doctor can then recertify for coverage for another 60 days as long as the person continues to need medical care.
Another qualification for Medicare coverage for in home health care services is that the home health care agency must be Medicare certified.
Find Medicare Certified In Home Health Care Services
All Medicare Advisory offers a FREE service. Helping seniors and their loved ones find Medicare certified in home health care services. Contact us here for a list of in home health care services near you.
Learn More: How to Find Home Care for Seniors
This article was writen by Marcelina Hardy and was last updated on .
My name is Marcelina (Marcie) Hardy, and I’m a senior care advisor offering Medicare-approved home health care, nursing home, hospice, and long term hospital care options.