Home care · Home health · Caregivers
In-home care near you
Help at home with daily activities, or medical care at home after an illness or hospital stay. Tell us what you need and where, and we'll help you find options nearby, free.
| Home care (non-medical) | Home health care (medical) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Help with bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, errands and companionship | Skilled nursing, physical, occupational or speech therapy, and some aide care |
| Who orders it | You or your family | A doctor or other provider, as part of a plan of care (Medicare.gov: Home health services) |
| Medicare | Not covered when personal care is the only care you need (Medicare.gov: Home health services) | Covered if you're homebound and meet Medicare's conditions; $0 for covered services (Medicare.gov: Home health services) |
Questions to ask a home care agency
- Are caregivers employees of the agency, and are they background-checked and trained?
- What happens if the regular caregiver is sick?
- Is there a minimum number of hours per visit or per week?
- What's the hourly rate, and is it different on nights and weekends?
- Does the agency have a state license where one is required?
Common questions
Does Medicare pay for in-home care?
Medicare pays for home health care (part-time skilled nursing, therapy and some aide care) if you're homebound and a provider orders it, through a Medicare-certified agency. It doesn't pay for 24-hour care, or for personal care when that's the only care you need (Medicare.gov: Home health services).
What does Medicare-covered home health cost?
You pay nothing for covered home health services; for covered medical equipment you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible (Medicare.gov: Home health services).
What's the difference between home care and home health care?
Home care (non-medical) helps with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals and companionship. Home health care is medical care at home, such as nursing or therapy, ordered by a provider.