Medicare tool

Medicare home health eligibility checker

Answer a few questions to understand whether Medicare home health care may be worth discussing with your doctor or a Medicare-certified agency.

Quick screening

Check the major Medicare requirements

This does not approve coverage, but it helps families prepare better questions before calling a doctor, discharge planner, Medicare plan, or agency.

1. Has a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other qualified provider ordered home health care?

2. Does the patient need skilled care?

3. Is leaving home difficult?

4. Is the care part-time or intermittent?

5. Will you use a Medicare-certified home health agency?

Your result

Answer the questions above

We will show a plain-English next step based on Medicare's major home health coverage requirements.

Medicare FAQ

Common home health coverage questions

What does Medicare require for home health coverage?

Medicare home health generally requires a provider order, a plan of care, a need for part-time or intermittent skilled services, homebound status, and care from a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Does Medicare pay for 24-hour home care?

Medicare does not usually pay for 24-hour-a-day care at home, meal delivery, unrelated homemaker services, or personal care when that is the only care needed.

Can a home health aide be covered by Medicare?

A home health aide may be covered only when the patient is also receiving eligible skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy as part of the home health plan of care.

Is this eligibility checker a Medicare decision?

No. This tool is educational and does not approve coverage. Families should confirm coverage with the doctor, home health agency, Medicare plan, or Medicare directly.