Home health: skilled and covered.
- What it is: physician-ordered medical care at home — skilled nursing, wound care, infusion, physical and occupational therapy.
- Who delivers it: licensed clinicians, under a plan of care your physician signs.
- Who pays: the White Card, OWCP, VA Community Care, and Medicare all cover it when ordered and authorized — at no cost to you for covered care.
Home care: helpful, but different.
- What it is: non-medical help — companionship, housekeeping, errands.
- Who pays: usually families, private insurance, or specific program add-ons — not the standard medical benefit.
The bridge between them: home health aide services — personal care like bathing and dressing — are covered under programs like the White Card when they ride on a skilled plan of care under nurse supervision. And the aide can be a paid family member.
Common questions.
I only need help with bathing. Is that covered?
Under the White Card and OWCP, aide services are covered as part of your authorized plan of care for accepted conditions. Whether a plan is warranted starts with your physician — ask, or start a case review.
Sources: Medicare.gov · U.S. Department of Labor, DEEOIC.