How Much Does Medicare Pay For Home Health Care?
What Is Home Health Care?
Home health care is health care provided in a patient's own home. It can be provided by a physician, a nurse, a physical therapist or other health care professional.
How Much Does Medicare Pay For Home Health Care?
Medicare Part B covers a portion of home health care costs, but patients are responsible for some of the costs. The following is a breakdown of the costs.
Medicare will pay for most care related expenses, including:
Doctor visits
Health screenings
Nurse visits
Therapy
Mental health counseling
Medicare will not pay for the following:
Expenses covered by your private health insurance
Expenses that are not related to health care, such as housekeeping, yard work, and food shopping
What Does Medicare Pay For?
Medicare Part B will cover a portion of home health care expenses, including:
Clinical nurse visits
Home health aide visits
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
X-rays
Medicare Part B will not cover the following:
Services paid for by your private insurance
Expenses that are not medically necessary
How Do I Pay For Home Health Care?
Medicare Part B does not pay for all home health care expenses. Medicare will pay for the following:
Medicare Part B will not pay for the following:
Home health care not prescribed by a doctor
For example, if you have Medicare Part B, and you are visiting a home health care agency for physical therapy, Medicare will pay only for the physical therapy services. You will be responsible for the cost of your transportation and the cost of the physical therapist's services.
Medicare will no longer pay for skilled nursing care after you have been homebound for more than 90 days.
What Is A Medicare Advantage Plan?
Medicare Advantage Plans are another type of Medicare plan. Unlike traditional Medicare, they do not include a Part A or Part B. Instead, you select a plan from a list of Medicare Advantage Plans and pay a premium to receive coverage. The company that you selected will provide most health care services, including doctor visits, medications, and medical equipment. Services such as home health care will not be included and must be paid for out-of-pocket.
What Are The Medicare Advantage Plan Options?
You have the option of choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan from a list of stand-alone, Medicare Advantage Plans, or Medicare Advantage Plans that are offered through employers. If you choose an employer-sponsored plan, you may be able to save on premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
The following are some of your options:
Private insurance companies, such as Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna
The Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Part C, offered through Medicare.gov
Health insurance companies and Medicare Advantage Plans are required to offer coverage for certain Medicare services and cannot limit or restrict your coverage for services. They must also provide a free choice of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers.
Do Private Insurance Companies Offer Medicare Advantage Plans?
Private insurance companies may offer Medicare Advantage Plans. With these plans, you may be able to save on your premiums and out-of-pocket costs. You will be able to keep your Medicare Advantage Plan if you decide to apply for traditional Medicare.
How Do I Choose A Medicare Advantage Plan?
You are not limited to a specific number of Medicare Advantage Plans to choose from. You should consider several things when choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan:
The cost of the plan
The availability of doctors and hospitals in your area
Whether or not you want to continue to see your current doctor
What Are The Costs Of A Medicare Advantage Plan?
Medicare Advantage Plans do not have a monthly premium. They do have an annual deductible or out-of-pocket cost. The annual deductible will depend on the plan you choose. The following are the out-of-pocket costs you can expect to pay:
You will be responsible for 40% of the cost of health care services, including doctor visits, home health care, and drugs, until you meet your annual deductible.
You will be responsible for up to 50% of the cost of health care services, including doctor visits, home health care, and drugs, beyond the deductible.
You will not pay a monthly premium.
You will not pay a premium.
What Is A Medicare Advantage Premium?
You will not pay a premium with Medicare Advantage Plans.
Is There A Monthly Premium?
Medicare Advantage Plans do not require a monthly premium.
What Is Out-Of-Pocket?
Out-of-pocket refers to expenses that you are required to pay. You may be responsible for paying a small percentage of your health care costs until you meet your annual deductible. This is what is commonly referred to as your out-of-pocket limit.
What Is An Annual Deductible?
An annual deductible is a required payment you must make each year. The amount you pay will depend on the plan, and the amount will increase each year.
What Are Out-Of-Pocket Costs?
The following is a breakdown of the out-of-pocket costs you can expect to pay with
