As you age, it’s only natural that you’ll start to consider your long-term care options. With the right resources and information, you can be sure that you are getting the best coverage for the services you need. One such resource is home health care — but how do Medicare and Medicaid compare in terms of home health benefits? We will break down the differences between Medicare and Medicaid home health services to help make sense of which option might be best for your needs. And as always, if you have any questions about coverage options for your home health needs, feel free to reach out!
Medicare Home Health Coverage
If you are over 65 or if you are disabled and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years, then you may qualify for Medicare coverage. This type of coverage typically includes a range of medically-necessary services provided in the comfort of your own home. Services covered by Medicare include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, occupational therapy, medical social services, and more. In order to qualify for coverage, a doctor must certify that these treatments are necessary as part of your medical plan of care.
Medicaid Home Health Coverage
Unlike Medicare—which is governed federally—Medicaid is managed on a state-by-state basis. That means each state has different criteria when it comes to eligibility requirements and what types of services they cover under their Medicaid plans. Generally speaking though, states will offer some form of home health care through their Medicaid programs. Some examples may include personal care aides who can provide assistance with activities like dressing or bathing; nurses who can provide medical treatments; or physical therapists who can help with mobility issues. Note that some states limit access to certain types of Medicaid home health benefits based on need or financial situation.
Navigating the world of healthcare insurance can be overwhelming — especially if you’re trying to figure out how both Medicare and Medicaid fit into your long-term care plans. We hope that this has helped shed some light on how these two programs differ when it comes to providing coverage for home health services so that elderly individuals can make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. It’s important to research each program thoroughly before making any decisions so that you can ensure that all your needs will be met without any surprises down the road!