What is home health care?

Medicare-certified agencies delivering skilled nursing, therapy, and aide services in a person's own home.

How to choose senior care in your area

The marketing looks the same everywhere. The record does not. Here is what actually separates a good community from a risky one, by care type.

Home health
Every agency here is Medicare-certified. Compare the CMS quality-of-patient-care star rating, confirm the specific services you need (skilled nursing, physical therapy, aide hours), and ask how quickly they can start and who covers nights and weekends.

CaringAtlas surfaces the federal inspection and staffing record on every nursing home so you can do this in minutes, not by calling around.

How home health care is paid for

Find home health agencies by city

Compare with assisted living · memory care · nursing home · hospice · independent living.

Frequently asked questions

What is home health care?
Medicare-certified agencies delivering skilled nursing, therapy, and aide services in a person's own home.
How is home health care paid for?
Medicare covers medically necessary, part-time skilled home health care ordered by a doctor for a homebound patient. Medicaid covers home health for eligible enrollees; benefits vary by state. Non-medical personal-care hours are often private pay or covered through a Medicaid waiver. Every agency listed here is Medicare-certified.
How is home health care different from the other types of senior care?
Senior care ranges from independent living and assisted living to memory care, nursing homes, home health, and hospice. Home health care sits in that spectrum: Medicare-certified agencies delivering skilled nursing, therapy, and aide services in a person's own home.

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