Does Medicare pay for in-home care?

Medicare will usually pay for a “certification” period - up to a 60 day window of home care - for a person coming out of an acute treatment center (after a hospitalization or rehab stay). This post acute care consists of “visits” per week - Skilled Nursing, PT or OT. It is not continuous care. You may have 2 SN visits, 2 or 3 PT visits a week which is only about 5-6 hrs per week. The # of visits is determined by a matrix of the usual amount of HC visits for a similar diagnosis. If the HC feel the patient is meeting goals, they will discharge the patient from HC sooner. Ditto if more time is needed. But the agency has to prove to the payor- for instance, Medicare that visits are medically justified. The 60 days are often more than enough for some; lacking for others.

Homecare staff’s job is to support the family to learn to provide care for the individual The goal is that this can be accomplished in 60 days. If not, a SNF is recommended.

Medicare does pay for limited home care. Usually after a hospital stay. But they won’t pay for anything long term.

They can pay for some short term home care. The keyword is short term. My mom was given the option to go to rehab or go home and have rehab come to her. We brought her home and everyday a nurse, PT and CNA would come by. There's also hospice if it's that time.

Home health care agency's does get paid by Medicare they also pay for equipment and therapy in home care usually 100%

What kind of care are you talking about? Visiting doctors, physical therapist, bath aide?

Medicare DOES cover some of these things and they will always cover in home doctors visits for some one with mobility challenges.

Can you give us more information for exactly what you are looking for? If you need help caring for your wife and money is an issue, there are lots of resources that you can get but we do need more information to help.

No, Medicare does not pay for homecare. Medicaid does if person fits the criteria.

Medicare will pay for a rehab stay for up to 100 days. 100% first 20 days. 21 to 100 days 50%.