Guide
Home health vs. home care: what's the difference?
Short answer
Home health is skilled, medical care at home, such as nursing or physical therapy, ordered by a doctor and covered by Medicare for people who qualify. Home care usually means non-medical help with daily life, like bathing, dressing, meals or companionship. Medicare doesn't pay for that kind of personal care when it is the only care you need (Medicare.gov).
Side by side
| Home health | Home care (non-medical) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Skilled nursing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, medical social services, plus aide help as part of that care | Help with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, meals, housekeeping, companionship |
| Needs a doctor's order? | Yes, for Medicare coverage | Usually not |
| Medicare pays? | Yes, $0 for covered services if you qualify | No, when it's the only care you need |
| Who provides it | For Medicare: a Medicare-certified home health agency | Home care or personal care agencies; licensing rules vary by state |
Coverage rules: Medicare.gov, "Home health services".
How people pay for home care
Because Medicare doesn't cover custodial or personal care on its own, families often pay out of pocket or use other coverage they may have. State Medicaid programs can cover some home and community-based services for people who qualify; see Medicaid.gov: Home & Community-Based Services. Rules and waiting lists vary by state.
Can you get both?
Yes. Medicare's coverage of aide services depends on you also getting skilled care, so some families combine Medicare home health with privately paid home care for extra hours. Medicare doesn't pay for 24-hour care at home (Medicare.gov).
What HomeCareFinder lists today
Our directory currently lists only Medicare-certified home health agencies from the CMS Care Compare data. Non-medical home care agencies are not listed yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between home health and home care?
Home health is skilled medical care at home (nursing, therapy) ordered by a doctor and covered by Medicare if you qualify. Home care is non-medical help with daily living, which Medicare doesn't pay for when it is the only care you need. Source: Medicare.gov.
Does Medicare pay for non-medical home care?
No. Medicare doesn't pay for custodial or personal care (like bathing, dressing or using the bathroom) when that is the only care you need, or for homemaker services unrelated to your care plan. Source: Medicare.gov.