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I have a loved one in need - how do I get home health care?
To get started with in-home health care for your loved one, you’ll need to determine your loved one’s eligibility to receive Medicare & Medicaid home health care in Ohio.
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Am I or my loved one eligible for home health care from Medicare or Medicaid?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, you are eligible to receive home health care services if:
- You or your loved one is under the care of a doctor, with an established home health plan of care (POC) or treatment protocol.
- You or your loved one needs one of the following services, as determined by a doctor:
- Intermittent skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language pathology services
- Continued occupational therapy services
- You or your loved one is homebound, as certified by a doctor. (See below for the Medicare definition of homebound.)
- You or your loved one had an in-person meeting with a physician (or allowed NPP) regarding your reason for home health services, within 90 days before your home health care services begin.
- The home health agency used to provide care is approved by Medicare.
For more details regarding who is eligible for home health care services in Ohio, visit:
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Which services am I eligible to receive through Medicaid in the State of Ohio?
Ohio offers Medicaid Waivers to allow eligible individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions to receive care in their homes and communities rather than in long-term care facilities.
Care can include long-term personal care and living assistance, as well as home health care services.
To ascertain your eligibility for Ohio Medicaid Waiver programs, please visit:
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What is considered “homebound” for home health care services?
To be considered homebound, the individual must be unable to leave the house without supportive devices, special transportation, or assistance from another person. Alternatively, an individual is considered “homebound” if their physician discourages leaving the house unnecessarily for medical or health concerns.
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What is intermittent skilled nursing care?
According to Medicare, “intermittent” skilled nursing care is care that’s needed or given only:
- Less than 7 days per week
- Less than 8 hours per day (up to 21 days, or as determined by Medicare)
- If you’re expected to need full-time skilled nursing care over an extended period of time, you typically will not qualify for home health benefits.
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Does Medicare cover senior home care?
Medicare only covers medical or skilled services, including: skilled nursing visits, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Medicare generally will not cover living assistance, companionship, or home care unless those services are required along with in-home medical care (as certified by a physician).
Medicare will not cover:
- Home care that is not medically necessary
- 24-hour care
- Household services unrelated to your plan of care
- Meal or delivery services
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What services are covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and provided by Altimate Care?
- Skilled nursing care, such as:
- Wound care and changing wound dressings
- IV infusions
- Medical injections
- Feeding tube
- Medically-necessary Home Health Aides, to assist with:
- Personal hygiene activities
- Living assistance such as bathing, dressing or going to the bathroom
- Occupational, physical and speech therapy
- Medical social services/social work services, including counseling and assistance finding community resources
- Medical supplies provided by your home health agency, such as catheters and wound dressings.
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How much will home health care cost me?
If you are eligible for coverage by Ohio’s Medicare or Medicaid, your home health care services will require no additional out-of-pockets expenses or copayments. Medicare coverage is available for seniors aged 65+ and qualifying veterans. Children and other individuals may qualify for home health care services under Medicaid.
