There are many reasons why someone might seek home care—aging, recovery from illness or injury, chronic ailments, disabilities, or mental health challenges. Choosing home care offers several advantages over a residential facility, but it does come with associated costs, even for individuals who have family members taking care of them. With this in mind, you may be wondering, “How do I get home care through Medicare?”
Getting home care through Medicare requires meeting specific criteria that can vary from one state to another. However, there are also affordable options and government programs that help with home care in Arizona that may be better suited to your needs. In this article, we discuss how to get home care through Medicare and Medicaid in Arizona.
How To Get Home Care Through Medicare
Medicare’s home health benefit covers medical services, including therapy and nursing care, that need to be delivered in the home. Typically, home care falls under Medicare Part B (medical insurance), but Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may apply if you have recently been discharged from a hospital or facility.
To have Medicare cover your home health care, you must be:
- Unable to leave your home without assistance or advised by your doctor not to leave the house.
- In need of intermittent skilled nursing or therapy services on a regular and finite basis. The term “intermittent” can be anything from monthly to daily care visits, but it also needs to be for a fixed, limited time only.
To access home care through Medicare, it must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA). The process involves the HHA visiting you to assess your needs and develop a care plan. You can initiate this by requesting a list of HHAs from your doctor and contacting them directly. If you are in the hospital, you can also ask a discharge planner or a hospital social worker to start the process.
Applicants seeking home health care through Medicare must also have a face-to-face meeting with a doctor within 90 days before or 30 days after commencing home health care. The doctor must approve a health plan for the patient and sign a home health certification, affirming that the patient is homebound and in need of intermittent skilled care.
What Type Of Home Care Is Not Covered By Medicare In Arizona?
Medicare’s home health benefit will not cover all home care services. For example, Medicare will not cover:
- 24-hour daily care
- Homemaking services, e.g., housekeeping, meal prep, or laundry
- Meal delivery
- Prescription drugs
Further details on what is and isn’t covered by Medicare can be found on Medicare’s website. Essentially, Medicare assists with home care that is strictly medical and requires the involvement of medical professionals.
Should I Choose A Home Care Agency?
If your situation does not require skilled nursing care or therapy, then it might be very difficult to qualify for the type of home care covered by Medicare. If you are looking for more frequent care visits, 24-hour assistance, help with transportation, or housekeeping, there are other options out there.Nova Home Care Arizona delivers professional and personalized in-home care services across the state of Arizona. Our services are eligible for Medicaid coverage, and we can assist you in devising a comprehensive care plan that meets your exact needs. To learn more about how we can help you or a family member live a comfortable, safe, and fulfilling life at home, please contact us online or call 317-537-2490.
