Will Medicare pay for health care services in my home?

It depends.

Typically, Medicare does not cover routine home care services such as daily assistance with medication, meal preparation and personal care like bathing and grooming.

Medicare won’t pay for home care services unless they are medically necessary and specifically ordered by your physician.

To receive Medicare coverage for healthcare services in your home, the following conditions must be met:

• You’re enrolled in Medicare
• You’re seeing a doctor for the condition that requires home care services
• Your doctor says you need skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy because of an illness or injury
• You’ve seen a physician within the last 90 days or within 30 days of the start of home health care services, or you’ve been seen in an acute or post-acute setting by a physician who has admitting and treating privileges in that location
• Your physician certifies that you are homebound, meaning you cannot leave your home due to your injury or illness, or that leaving your home is a taxing effort that requires assistance

If these criteria are met, Medicare may cover intermittent or part-time care. Generally, the care must be provided fewer than seven days a week, or fewer than eight hours a day. If requested by your doctor, Medicare may cover some exceptions for additional care.