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Does Medicare Part B Cover Home Health Care Services?
Date Updated: December 9, 2024
Written by:
Lauren Thomas is a seasoned writer that specializes in long-term care, with a special focus on dementia-related topics. She holds a degree in counseling and uses her knowledge and experience to create insightful content that gives seniors and families the information they need to make important care decisions.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Medicare Part B covers home health care services. In most circumstances, beneficiaries receive full coverage for the skilled nursing services they obtain at home through Medicare’s medical coverage. However, the program has rules regarding the duration and conditions under which individuals can receive care.
What Is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B serves as the component of Medicare that pays for medically necessary and preventative health care services. This coverage includes:
- Clinical research
- Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
- Durable medical equipment
- Ambulance services
- Vaccines
- Disease screenings
- Medical nutrition therapy services
- Laboratory services
- Annual wellness exams
- Doctors’ services you receive in an inpatient hospital setting
- Diagnostic services
As of 2024, Medicare beneficiaries pay a monthly premium of $174.70 per month (or higher, depending on their annual adjusted income). Additionally, this coverage has a $240 deductible, meaning that you pay $240 each year before your coverage kicks in. After you’ve paid your deductible, you typically pay 20% of the cost of most Medicare-covered services. One exception to this is home health care, which Medicare pays for in full.
Does Medicare Part B Pay for Home Health Care Services?
Medicare Part B pays for home health care services for homebound individuals who need short-term or intermittent skilled nursing services. Covered services include:
- Injections
- Medication administration
- Wound care for surgical wounds or pressure sores
- Health-related education
- Disease monitoring and management
- Vitals monitoring
- Speech, occupational and physical therapies
- Durable medical equipment, such as mobility aids or hospital beds
- Medical social services
- Feeding tube maintenance
For you to qualify for home health care coverage, your doctor must conduct an assessment and certify your need for part-time or intermittent services. Generally speaking, you can arrange home health care services for up to eight hours per day and 28 hours per week, or fewer than eight hours per day for up to 35 hours per week. Medicare Part B doesn’t pay for 24-hour home health care services, nonmedical services unrelated to your care plan or home-delivered meals.
How Long Can I Receive Home Health Care Services Under Medicare Part B?
While Medicare Part B can help you afford home health care services, it doesn’t pay for this type of care indefinitely. If you need skilled nursing services at home for longer than your policy covers, which is typically 21 days, explore different ways to pay for services. Options for paying for care include:
- Long-term care insurance
- Life insurance benefits
- Veterans’ benefits
- Annuities
- Medicaid
- Reverse mortgages
- Collective sibling agreements