Part A covers inpatient hospitalizations, care in skilled nursing facilities, palliative care, and some home health care. If you're wondering: “Is home health care covered by Medicare Part A or B? , the answer is yes, it is covered by both. Under Medicare Part B, you are eligible for home health care if you are homebound and need specialized care, even if you haven't been hospitalized before. In certain cases, such as after a hospital stay or after spending time in a skilled nursing facility, you can receive Home Care near Willingboro NJ coverage under Medicare Part A.What exactly is home health care? This type of care is intended to provide health services and equipment to people while they recover at home.
Home health care includes a wide range of health and social services provided at home to treat illnesses or injuries. What home health care does Medicare cover? The services covered by the Medicare home health care benefit include intermittent skilled nursing care, specialized therapy services, and care provided by a home health assistant. The Medicare home health care benefit is not a long-term service and support program, and it doesn't provide unlimited coverage. There is a three-week care limit that can be extended if your doctor can provide you with a good idea of when you will no longer need daily skilled nursing care.
In most cases, if you're part-time or intermittent, you may be able to receive specialized nursing care and home health support services for up to 8 hours a day (combined), for up to 28 hours a week. However, you may have to pay 20% of the amount approved by Medicare for durable medical equipment and the standard Part B deductible applies. This is defined as care that is needed less than 7 days a week or less than 8 hours a day for a maximum of 21 days. While home health care is normally covered by Part B, Part A provides coverage under certain circumstances after you are in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF).
You won't qualify for the home health care benefit if you need more than part-time or intermittent specialized care. A healthcare provider must request your care and a Medicare-certified home health agency must provide it to you. The documents will also include a care plan that notifies Medicare and health care agencies of the services and equipment you will need while you are being taken care of. You may be able to get more frequent care for a short period of time (less than 8 hours a day and no more than 35 hours a week) if your provider determines that it's necessary.
Home health care is often less expensive, more convenient, and as effective as care received in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). Covered services and enrollment requirements vary depending on each state's home and community services program. The agency must also tell you (both verbally and in writing) if Medicare won't pay for the items or services it provides and how much you'll have to pay for them. If you qualify for home health care, you can receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services from approved home health agencies. You must still meet other eligibility requirements for home health care, such as being confined to your home and needing specialized care.
You're generally not eligible for Medicare home health care benefits if you need full-time skilled nursing care for an extended period of time.
