Skilled services at home
Home health care
Understand the difference between non-medical home care and skilled home health services such as nursing, therapy, or post-hospital recovery support.
Who it may fit
Begin with the day, not a label.
Home health may fit someone whose care plan includes skilled nursing, physical or occupational therapy, wound care, or recovery support ordered or coordinated through a clinical team.
Skilled nursing visits and clinical monitoring
Physical therapy or occupational therapy at home
Post-hospital recovery and care-plan support
Coordination with a physician or other clinical team when appropriate
Before you compare options
Bring the practical details you already know.
Home health eligibility, orders, services, and coverage are determined by the provider and the person’s clinical situation. Ask what is needed after discharge or at the next care-planning conversation.
Paying for it
How home health is usually paid for
- Medicare Part A or B can cover home health care when a doctor certifies you are homebound and need part-time or intermittent skilled nursing or therapy, under a plan of care, from a Medicare-certified agency.
- Medicare does not cover 24-hour care at home, meal delivery, or personal care when it is the only care needed.
- New York Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans can also cover home health care; plans have their own rules and networks.
General information, not financial or legal advice. Confirm coverage with your plan or caseworker.
Questions to ask providers
- Is your agency Medicare-certified, and do you accept our insurance plan?
- What will the doctor’s order need to include for you to start?
- How quickly can a nurse or therapist make the first visit after discharge?
Related guides
- Does Medicare pay for home care in New York?
- How to arrange care after a hospital discharge
- Private-pay vs. insurance-covered home care
Sources
A simple next step
Want to talk through this care option?
Share a few details about what you are exploring. You do not need to know the exact care term before you begin.