FAQs

The principal goal in home health care is to enable people to recover and maintain independence after an illness, accident, or injury. Notably, you may be caring for a loved one who needs extra help. Our home health care FAQs address home care types, payment options, eligibility, and how skilled home health care differs from personal care.

Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and other private insurance plans typically cover home health care ordered by a doctor. Medicare Advantage and private plans may require people to use a provider in their network. 
Medicare does not cover non-medical senior care or personal care when it is the only care required by a patient. 
Long-term care insurance may cover some of the cost of in-home senior care services. 

Medicare publishes the Medicare and Home Health Care Guide as a downloadable document. It includes detailed information about the following:
• Eligibility
• Covered services
• Comparing home health agencies
• Your Medicare rights
Additionally, you can contact your local Medicare office for more information about home health care services and eligibility or visit the Medicare website to learn more.

Skilled home health care is medical care provided by licensed nurses, nurse aides, or therapists. Support usually begins with a prescription or an order from a doctor.
Home health visits include medical assessments, wound care, IV therapy, and physical therapy. Nurses and aides can also maintain, or help you learn how to maintain, feeding tubes, colostomy bags, oxygen, and other medical equipment. Visits can include fall prevention, education, and strategies to help older adults recover, stay independent, and reduce unplanned hospital visits.
Companion care or senior care is non-medical assistance at home. Sometimes older adults need extra help getting up in the morning, personal hygiene, household chores, or transportation to stay independent.
In most states, personal care aides can remind someone to take medications or help them self-administer medicines. They are typically not allowed to administer oral or injectable medications. Some states enable personal care aides with advanced training to administer medications.

Home health care can be provided wherever a person calls home. Agencies can customize the support to specific needs at home, in a senior living community, or even in a friend’s or relative’s home.

Medicare requires people to be homebound to receive home health benefits. Homebound status is based on a doctor’s evaluation. Being homebound does not mean you cannot leave your home for any reason. Homebound patients may leave for:
• Medical treatment
• Religious services
• Licensed adult daycare services
• Family reunions, funerals, or graduations
• Occasional visits to a barber shop or beauty parlor
Requirements for homebound status include:
• You are unable to leave home without assistance (crutches, walker, wheelchair, or special transportation)
• Leaving home is not advisable or could lead to injury, illness, or death
• You must get someone to help you leave (e.g., personal care aide)
• It is not physically possible for you to go out of your home by yourself and return safely
If you have questions about any of the requirements for home health care eligibility in your state or what is covered by Medicare, speak to a representative from your local Medicare office or visit the official Medicare website. Whether you need skilled home health care services or in-home personal care, there are various options to suit your needs and preferences. With the proper support at home, you can stay independent, healthy, and safe for years to come. Reign Healthcare is a trusted home health care service provider and is here to help.

Your doctor will work with you and your home health provider to create a care plan for you. The frequency of visits adapts to your needs over time. For example, you may receive the following:
• Weekly home health visits at the beginning
• Bi-weekly or monthly home health visits as your condition improves
• As-needed home care for medical emergencies or complications
A home health team includes a full-time nurse, certified nursing assistant (CNA), home health aide (HHA), and therapists. They are available to answer your questions and help you get the care you need. Reign Healthcare offers support at every stage of your home health journey.

Yes. You may be eligible for home health care services if you are a veteran receiving Medicare and need help with your health conditions. If you are a veteran in need of help with your condition, contact the local VA office near you to learn more about home health care eligibility and benefits. With the right support at home, you can get the medical assistance and personal care that you need to live your life comfortably.

No, people may receive a referral from a doctor, including a primary care doctor or specialist. A home health care team will work with you to develop a personalized plan of care that addresses your unique needs and goals.