All You Wanted To Know About Home Health Care
Home Health Care is an increasingly popular form of health care that is cost-effective and well accepted by patients. Home Health Care is provided in the less intrusive environment of a patient's own home. Patients are discharged from the hospital sooner now as they are able to receive care in their own home and it is believed that in the future more people will receive much of their medical care in their home.

Medicare coverage of home health care
Medicare covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, medical social services and home health aide services in the home if the patient meets certain criteria. The care must be provided on a part-time intermittent basis, be reasonable and necessary to treat the illness or injury. The patient must be under the care of a physician. The patient must be homebound. Currently there is no co-pay for Certified Medicare Home Health and Certified Medicare Home Health is exempt from a deductible.
Check about the availability of private insurance


Most private insurers cover home health benefits under the major medical portion of the policy. Most insurance companies have a certified home health agency they contract with to provide care to their customers. If you feel you need certified home health services, you would need to contact your insurance carrier to see if they have a "preferred provider". If your insurance company does not have a "preferred provider" in your area you will have the choice of what agency you use but there may be limitations to the number of visits or hours of service you are allowed to receive on an annual basis. You would need to contact your insurance provider for this information.