As we age, we don’t bounce back from injury or illness as fast as we once did. If an accident or sickness requires you to stay at home for a certain amount of time and receive long-term care, you may be eligible for some or all of your home health aide care paid for by Medicare.
Through Original Medicare, certain home health care benefits will be covered. The home health benefit is used when part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care is needed. This means that you need or get health services for less than seven days a week or less than eight hours of personal care a day over a period of 21 days.
Essentially, if you don’t need 24-hour round-the-clock service, you will probably qualify for some home health benefits. For example, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech/language needs could be covered with Original Medicare. Medicare home health coverage may also assist with medical social services, such as finding counseling, home care professionals, or nursing home care.
While other services fall under the umbrella of home health aide, not all day-to-day needs will be covered. Homemaking services such as shopping or laundry and custodial care like bathing or dressing aren’t covered if it’s the only care you need. Meal delivery would not qualify, either.
Do You Qualify For Home Health Aide?
These services are only available to you if you are currently under the care of a doctor and follow a regularly reviewed plan of care. You must be certified “homebound” by a doctor and require part-time/intermittent care as determined by your doctor. Medicare covers therapy services if they contribute to a reasonable and predictable improvement.
For example, if you’re suffering from illness or injury that you will recover from, and need a skilled therapist to maintain rehabilitation, home health aide is available. If 24-hour care is needed, these services would not be allowed. You are allowed to leave for short trips to a healthcare facility to receive therapy or for a few other purposes, such as religious services.
If you need durable medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, Medicare will pay for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that equipment. If you think you may qualify for home health aide, make sure to contact the home health aide agency you’ll work with to get a full rundown of costs that Medicare will cover and what you’ll be responsible for.
Turn To The Experts
The Medicare home health aide benefit is a great way to pay for the therapy you need to heal. But not everything is paid for and some home aide agencies may not accept Medicare. If you’re currently using Medicare, it’s good to turn to a Medicare professional to get your questions answered.
Since 2003, VibrantUSA has been helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate the often-changing and sometimes confusing Medicare landscape. Our licensed insurance specialists keep an eye on legislation at the state and federal levels to make sure our clients have the most up-to-date information.
Not every beneficiary will need the same Medicare coverage. VibrantUSA takes the time to learn about every client and what they need to enjoy retirement free from worry about their health care.
As an independent agency, we can choose from more than 50 plans offered by more than 30 regional and national insurance carriers. We will find the best coverage for you at the most reasonable prices.
If you or a family member is reaching retirement age or are needing a change in coverage, reach out to VibrantUSA today. We’re experienced, connected to a regional network of doctors, and will find the most appropriate Medicare coverage. We look forward to hearing from you.
