What are home health agencies?

Home health agencies provide skilled medical care in the comfort of a patient's home. These Medicare-certified agencies offer professional nursing services, therapy, and medical social services prescribed by a physician. Home health care is ideal for patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or needing rehabilitation services while remaining at home.

What services do home health agencies provide?

Home health agencies provide skilled nursing care (wound care, medication management, IV therapy), physical therapy and rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medical social services, and home health aide services.

Does Medicare cover home health care?

Yes, Medicare covers home health services when a patient is homebound, needs skilled care, and the care is prescribed by a doctor. Medicare pays 100% of the cost for covered services from a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Find Home Health Agencies Near You

Search 12,086 Home Health Agencies across the United States

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The National Landscape

Understanding Home Health Agencies across the United States

12,086

Home Health Agencys Nationwide

Data from CMS Home Health Compare (Dataset 6jpm-sxkc), updated quarterly.

Understanding Home Health Agencies

Skilled Services Provided

Nursing: Wound care, IV medications, catheter care, injections, disease education
Physical Therapy: Strength, balance, mobility training after surgery or injury
Occupational Therapy: Relearning daily tasks, home safety modifications
Speech Therapy: Swallowing disorders, speech after stroke, cognitive rehab
Home Health Aides: Bathing, dressing (only when also receiving skilled care)

Medicare Coverage Requirements

Homebound: Leaving home requires considerable effort (doesn't mean bedridden)
Skilled need: Requires a nurse or therapist, not just personal care
Doctor's order: Physician certifies medical necessity
Intermittent: Part-time or periodic care, not 24/7
Medicare-certified agency: Only certified agencies can bill Medicare

Home Health vs. Homecare

Home Health: Skilled medical care by nurses/therapists. Medicare covers. Short-term (weeks to months).
Homecare: Non-medical help (bathing, meals, companionship). Usually private pay. Ongoing.
You might need both: Home health for rehab after surgery, plus homecare for daily support.

Choosing a Home Health Agency

Check CMS Star Ratings: Based on patient outcomes (improvement in walking, bathing, pain management) and patient experience. 4+ stars indicates strong performance.

Ask About Timeliness: "How quickly can you start care?" After hospital discharge, delays can lead to complications. Good agencies start within 24-48 hours.

24/7 Availability: "What happens if I have a problem at night or on weekends?" Look for agencies with on-call nurses, not just answering services.

Care Coordination: Good agencies communicate with your doctors, update the care plan, and involve you in goal-setting.