Who qualifies.
- You are homebound — leaving home takes considerable effort and help, though occasional trips (doctor, church, a haircut) do not disqualify you.
- A physician orders intermittent skilled care — nursing or therapy — and certifies the plan of care.
- The agency is Medicare-certified.
What it covers.
- Intermittent skilled nursing — wound care, medication management, assessment.
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- Limited home health aide services alongside skilled care, and medical social work.
For covered home health, Medicare pays the agency directly — at no cost to you for the covered visits. It does not cover 24/7 care or long-term personal care alone; the skilled need drives it.
Have a White Card too? They work together — the card covers accepted conditions, Medicare the rest. Using both →
Common questions.
Does “homebound” mean I can never leave?
No. It means leaving takes considerable effort; infrequent short trips do not disqualify you.
How does it start?
With a physician order. Ask your doctor for home health, or send us the referral and we coordinate the order with your physician.
Sources: Medicare.gov, Home health services.