Does Medicare pay for home health care?

Yes they do. However, the patient must be homebound except for trips to medical appointments/treatments and, they must be receiving home care that meets the "skilled nursing" criteria. Some examples include therapy, IV's, etc. If this is not the case, then you might consider applying for a state assistance program such as Medicaid. If deemed eligible, one could be eligible for expanded home health services provided through the Area Agency on Aging, often referred to as Passport. This involves a nurse which establishes a care plan and visits periodically and, a home health aide that visits as often as deemed necessary to provide bathing, dressing, meal preparation and even light housekeeping chores. Either way, your physician does need to order such home care services. You might check with an elder care coordinator or health care advocate in your community to locate a dependable agency. Once they establish your financial resources, they typically know which reputable agencies are compatible with your finances. The home health agency usually takes it from there with contacting your physician. Next, they will schedule an in-home assessment to establish the care plan.

Yes.
It must be through a physician's order.

If a veteran or their spouse needs home care there's a program think it's called aid and attendance that they can get monies for in home care but they have to serve within certain time frames

I found this to be helpful. www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services.html