For Medicare beneficiaries a few criteria must be met for home health care services to be covered:

1. A patient must be “confined to the home.” Simply put, to receive home health services the patient must have a difficult time leaving their residence. Some examples are: patients with limited endurance, are oxygen dependent, or have balance issues that make leaving their home challenging. Medicare beneficiaries that leave their homes are still eligible to receive home health care services if their outings are infrequent, of relatively short duration, or for medical appointments. For example a patient that goes to dialysis (and it is difficult for him to leave) could still qualify for home health care.  

2. A patient must be under the care of a physician: your physician determines what skilled services (Nursing, Therapy, Social Work) you might benefit from and order home health care. Your physician will periodically review your home health care plan.

Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to receive skilled care at their residence if they meet the above criteria.