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Medicare uses the term “home care” very specifically to mean (1) skilled medical care (sometimes including the services of a trained aide) (2) delivered in the home (3) by an approved Medicare agency (4) for treatment of an illness or injury (5) to an individual who is homebound and (6) under the supervision of a physician. You must qualify under all of these criteria.
Medicare does not pay for “custodial care” services, which include sitters and companions, homemakers, shopping, transportation, and personal care such as bathing, dressing or feeding. If the care provided is not to treat an illness or injury (even if the need for the care is because of an illness or injury), then the care is considered to be “custodial” and is not covered.
If you think your loved one might benefit from medical care at home, we will be glad to help you determine if Medicare will cover some or all of your needs. Medicare also offers a 21-page booklet, “Medicare and Home Health Care,” which you can read or print from their Web site: http://www.medicare.gov.
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