Frequently asked questions

Usually not, and the detail is where families lose weeks.

Medicare does pay for home health, with conditions. A doctor has to certify that your parent needs skilled care, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. Your parent has to be considered homebound, meaning leaving the house takes real effort or help from someone. And the care has to come from a Medicare-certified agency.

If all of that applies, Medicare covers those skilled visits, and it will also cover a home health aide for things like bathing, but only for as long as the skilled care continues, and only part-time, generally up to 28 hours a week combined.

What Medicare does not cover is personal care when that's the only thing your parent needs. No 24-hour care. No meal delivery. No shopping or cleaning outside a care plan.

That's the gap most families fall into. Your mom doesn't need a nurse, she needs someone there at lunchtime. That part you pay for privately.