Home care can be covered by either Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B, each with slightly different rules. If the person you're caring for is enrolled in either Part A or Part B, he or she can receive home care coverage without any additional Medicare enrollment.
If the person you're caring for is enrolled in a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan, it too will cover home care, at least to the same extent (described below) as Medicare Part A or Part B, and perhaps with somewhat broader coverage. Contact the plan directly to find out the exact terms of its home care coverage.
What kind of at-home care does Medicare cover?
If a patient needs skilled nursing or rehabilitation care at home, either Medicare Part A (following a minimum three-day hospital stay) or Part B (no hospital-stay requirement) can cover it. A Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan similarly covers home care. The care can be provided in the patient's home or anywhere else he or she stays. If a patient meets the requirements to qualify for home care (see next page), Medicare covers skilled nursing or rehabilitation care and physical and speech therapy as needed while the patient recovers from an illness, condition, or injury. Medicare also covers needed medical supplies and equipment.
If a patient needs only nonmedical home care and assistance, such as help with eating, dressing, walking, meal preparation, and housekeeping, Medicare does not cover it. However, if a patient is getting Medicare coverage for skilled nursing or therapy at home, Medicare usually pays for limited visits by an aide from a home care agency to help with personal care. If Medicare covers skilled home care for the patient, it also covers the services of an occupational therapist to help him or her relearn how to accomplish daily personal care and household tasks safely.
Short and clear
My mom was diagnosed with dementia-she refuses to bathe I have read that some dementia patients become afraid of getting into the shower for fear of falling- will Medicare help pay for a shower chair?
Clarification of home care coverage was helpful. Is there anything in the new health care legislation that will help caregivers who work 24/7 to avoid placement of an Alzheimer patient?
Hello sleyva, Thank you for your question. If you'd like, you can post it in our Ask & Answer section, here: ( http://www.caring.com/ask ). Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN BLESSED WITH BEING ABLE TO BE MY GRANDMOTHERS CAREGIVER. I'VE BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER THROUGH A COMPANY ONLY SINCE FEB. AND THEY JUST CUT MY PAY FOR THE SECOND TIME. AND WITH NO NOTICE. CAN THEY DO THAT?
Hello Anonymous, Thank you very much for your question. If you'd like to learn more about Long Term Care, take a look at this article: ( http://www.caring.com/articles/long-term-care-insurance ). I hope that helps! Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
My friend had astroke that left him unable to do much for himself. where do we go yo grt long tremcare? And how to appley for any or all benefits he may be intile to.
Good basic description. Obviously there are many complications and exceptions to all of these rules.
Knowing what Medicare will and will not cover has been helpful. Also, the links to the Medicare website along with the 800 phone number are helpful, too.
difference between medicare and medical home help.
Stating what Medicare won't cover.
how to sign up for medicaid
if your sister has medicaid any type of home care agency/personal care agency can help her with her ADLs (activites of daily living) such as bath, dressing, eating, mobility. Medicaid will pay for the services and can also pay for her walker that she needs.
My sister needs a walker to get around her very small apartment. She needs home care to help her bath, fix meals, etc. Where ca I find help for her?