Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?
How Medicare covers home health services and who qualifiesÂ
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance AgentÂ
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insuranceÂ
OFFICIAL 2026 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE BY WALTER JOHNSON, LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT (CA #0J15814).
How Medicare covers home health services and who qualifiesÂ
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance AgentÂ
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insuranceÂ
 Does Medicare cover home health care? Learn what services are covered, eligibility requirements, costs, and how to qualify for in-home care.
Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?
👉Yes — Medicare covers home health care when it is medically necessary and you meet specific eligibility requirements.
Home health care allows you to receive certain medical services in your home instead of a hospital or facility. Understanding how this coverage works can help you access care while avoiding unnecessary costs.
Start here: 👉 Medicare Coverage
Learn more: 👉 Does Medicare Cover Hospital Stays
What Is Home Health Care?
Home health care includes part-time or intermittent skilled medical services provided in your home.
These services may include:
Skilled nursing care
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech-language therapy
Medical social services
It does not include full-time care or non-medical assistance.
Which Part of Medicare Covers Home Health Care?
Home health care is covered under Medicare Part A and Part B, depending on your situation.
Coverage is available if services are medically necessary and ordered by a doctor.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Medicare home health coverage, you must:
Be under a doctor’s care
Receive services under a care plan reviewed by a doctor
Be homebound (leaving home requires significant effort)
Use a Medicare-certified home health agency
If these requirements are not met, Medicare may not cover the services.
See also: 👉 Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Care
What Medicare Covers at Home
Medicare may cover:
Part-time skilled nursing care
Therapy services (physical, occupational, speech)
Medical supplies related to your care
Certain durable medical equipment (DME)
Coverage depends on your condition and doctor’s recommendations.
Related: 👉 Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy
What Medicare Does NOT Cover
Medicare does not cover:
24-hour home care
Meal delivery services
Homemaker services (cleaning, laundry, shopping)
Custodial care only (help with bathing or dressing without medical need)
Learn more: 👉 What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
Costs for Home Health Care
Many home health services are covered at no cost if you qualify.
However, you may pay:
20% of the cost for durable medical equipment
There is typically no deductible or coinsurance for covered home health services.
Learn more: 👉 How Much Does Medicare Cost Per Month
Home Health Care Under Medicare Advantage
If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, home health care is still covered but may have different rules.
Plans may require:
Network providers
Prior authorization
Costs and access may vary by plan.
Learn more: 👉 How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Learn more: 👉 Is Medicare Advantage Worth It?
Home Health vs Skilled Nursing Care
Home health care is different from skilled nursing facility care.
Home health care — provided in your home
Skilled nursing care — provided in a facility
Both require medical necessity but are used in different situations.
Learn more: 👉 Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Care
Why This Matters
Understanding home health coverage helps you:
receive care in the comfort of your home
avoid unnecessary facility stays
reduce out-of-pocket costs
Next Step
Now that you understand home health coverage, the next step is reviewing hospice care under Medicare.
Continue to: 👉 Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care
Related Guides
• Medicare Coverage
• Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Care
• What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
• How Medicare Advantage Plans Work