Home care, often called non-medical home care, is help with everyday life: bathing, dressing, meals, housework and company (National Institute on Aging). Home health care is medical care at home from nurses and therapists (Medicare.gov). Medicare can pay for home health if strict rules are met. It does not pay for home care on its own.
Side by side
| Home care (non-medical) | Home health care (medical) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, meals, chores, supervision | Skilled nursing, wound care, injections, physical, occupational and speech therapy |
| Who provides it | Aides, either through an agency or hired directly | A home health agency with nurses, therapists and aides |
| Doctor's order | Not needed | Required. A provider must see the person in person and order the care (Medicare.gov) |
| How long | As long as you want it | Short-term or part-time, tied to a plan of care (National Institute on Aging) |
| Medicare | No, when it is the only care needed (Medicare.gov) | Yes, if the person is homebound and needs part-time or intermittent skilled care. $0 for covered services |
| Medicaid | May pay through state home- and community-based programs (Medicaid.gov) | Covers home health; benefits vary by state (National Institute on Aging) |
| Private health insurance | Most plans do not pay for these costs | Most plans do not cover these costs (National Institute on Aging) |
Does your parent meet Medicare's home health rules?
All of these need to be true (Medicare.gov):
- They need part-time or intermittent skilled nursing or therapy.
- They are "homebound": leaving home is not recommended, or they need help or a device to leave, and they normally cannot leave and doing so takes a lot of effort.
- A doctor or other provider has seen them in person and ordered the care.
- A Medicare-certified home health agency gives the care.
Being homebound does not mean never going out. People can leave for medical treatment, for short and infrequent non-medical reasons such as religious services, and for adult day care.
What Medicare home health will not pay for
- 24-hour-a-day care at home
- Home meal delivery
- Homemaker services, such as shopping and cleaning, unrelated to the care plan
- Personal care when that is the only care needed
Before you hire anyone
- Compare Medicare-certified agencies on Care Compare.
- Check references, and check for complaints with the state and local agencies that regulate health services (National Institute on Aging).
- Ask an agency whether workers are employees, how they are screened, and who steps in if an aide is sick.
- If you hire someone directly, you may become their employer, with tax duties. Ask a tax professional first.
Who to ask
Your local Area Agency on Aging can explain what home care programs exist in your parent's state. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 (U.S. Administration for Community Living).
Common questions
Is non-medical home care covered by Medicare?
Not when it is the only care needed. Medicare does not pay for custodial or personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing or using the bathroom, when that is the only care a person needs. It also does not pay for 24-hour care at home.
Can a home health aide help with bathing under Medicare?
Yes, if the person is also getting skilled nursing or therapy at the same time and meets the other rules. Aide services are part-time or intermittent.
Can someone have both?
Yes. A family might use Medicare-covered home health for therapy after a hospital stay and pay privately, or through Medicaid where available, for help with daily tasks.
Does Medicaid pay for home care?
It can. States run home- and community-based services programs for people who qualify. Benefits and waiting lists vary by state.
Related guides
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for rent, meals or personal care in assisted living. It still covers medical care for residents. See what is covered and where else to look.
Respite care
Respite care gives family caregivers a break. Learn the types, what Medicare, Medicaid and the VA may pay, and how to find local programs.
Sources
- Home health services, Medicare.gov. Checked November 8, 2026.
- Services for Older Adults Living at Home, National Institute on Aging (NIH). Checked November 8, 2026.
- What Is Long-Term Care?, National Institute on Aging (NIH). Checked November 8, 2026.
- Home & Community-Based Services, Medicaid.gov. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Care Compare, Medicare.gov. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Eldercare Locator, U.S. Administration for Community Living. Checked November 7, 2026.
This guide explains general rules. It is not medical, legal or financial advice for your situation. Program rules and amounts change, usually each January (Medicare and Medicaid) and each October (VA). Confirm details with the agency or a qualified professional before you decide. See our editorial policy.