The services must be ordered by a physician.
The client must qualify as homebound because of illness or because he or she needs assistance to safely leave home.
The client must need part time or intermittent nursing care, or physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.
Home health aide services (i.e. bathing) are only covered if the patient is receiving nursing care, physical, or speech therapy.
Routine medical supplies needed by the home health nurse, such as bandages or catheters, are also covered under the Medicare Home Health benefit.
Services that are not covered include:
Full-time nursing care
Medications
Homemaker/housekeeping help
Routine custodial care (bathing, dressing, help moving around, transportation to appointments etc.)