There’s no denying it; going to the doctor can be inconvenient. As the need for medical services generally trends upward with age, so too does the effort required to actually get up and go. The data on this is concerning. According to the Journal of Community Health, approximately 3.6 million Americans miss at least one healthcare trip a year due to transportation issues.

Did you know there’s a way to get hospital-quality healthcare services from the comfort of your own home? Home health care policies are designed to give you the option of recovery in a place much more comfortable than a hospital bed or skilled nursing facility. These plans cover certain procedures and services from home, such as:

• Medically necessary skilled nursing care
  • Wound care
  • Patient education
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Injections
  • Health monitoring
• Physical / occupational therapy
• Medical social services
• Intermittent health aide / custodial care (when paired alongside other health services)
  • Help with walking, bathing or grooming
  • Changing bed linens
  • Feeding
• Durable medical equipment
• Medical supplies for use at home

There are certain services that home health care policies do not cover, such as:

• 24 hour care
• Home meal delivery
• Homemaker services unrelated to your plan

Home health care plans require a health care provider to certify in-person that you need home health services.

Home Health Care Costs

For all COVERED home health care services, you pay $0. After meeting the deductible for your Medicare Part B (hospital insurance), you are required to pay 20% of the cost of Medicare covered medical equipment. Cost of other home health services depends on the home health care plan you are enrolled in, as well as the home health care agency providing those services. Costs can also be offset with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy.

If you have any questions about this coverage, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are eager to help!