How Do I pay For Home Health Services?

Most Home Health services are covered by Medicare, but there are many private insurance companies that will cover the costs of home health services. You will need to contact your insurance company directly to find out what services you may be entitled to. To be eligible for Home Health Care under Medicare, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • You must be covered by Medicare
  • You must have a need for skilled services in the home such as nursing, physical therapy or speech therapy
  • You must be under the care of an attending Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), or Podiatrist (D.P.M.) who signs orders for home care
  • You must be essentially homebound, requiring reasonable and taxing effort to leave home


Medical supplies used in conjunction with the services provided, such as diapers, blue pads, dressings, tape, catheters and irrigation solutions, are covered under Medicare. Equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, feeding pumps, hospital beds and respiratory equipment, is not included under supplies, but can be provided with physician order and covered under Medicare Part B, and the 20 percent co-pay may be covered by supplemental insurance. Not all home health agencies handle medical equipment, but most will assist the patient with obtaining the equipment from a local supplier.