Home health vs. home care: what’s the difference?
Home health is medical care from nurses and therapists that your doctor orders. Home care is help with daily tasks, like bathing, meals, and housework.
The short version
| Home health | Home care | |
|---|---|---|
| Who orders it | Your doctor | You or your family |
| Who comes | Nurses, therapists, and aides | Caregivers, also called aides or companions |
| What they do | Medical care, therapy, and teaching | Bathing, dressing, meals, housework, rides, and company |
| How long | Short visits, usually under an hour | A few hours a day, overnight, or around the clock |
| Who pays | Medicare and many health plans, if you qualify | Usually you or your family |
What home health is
Home health is skilled care in your home. Your doctor orders it, and a Medicare-certified agency provides it.
A nurse or therapist comes for a visit, does the care, and leaves. Each visit has a goal, like healing a wound or walking safely again.
With Original Medicare, you pay $0 for covered home health services. To qualify, you must be homebound and need skilled nursing or therapy.
What home care is
Home care is non-medical help at home. It is also called personal care, private duty care, or companion care. You do not need a doctor’s order.
A caregiver can help with bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, errands, and rides. Some families hire help for a few hours a week. Others need someone all day.
Medicare usually does not pay for home care when it is the only help you need. Most people pay for it themselves. Some get help from long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or VA benefits.
Why the difference matters
Many families expect home health to mean someone stays all day. It does not. Medicare does not pay for 24-hour care at home.
Between home health visits, family members often fill the gap. Your care team will teach you what to do. Some families also hire home care for extra help.
Can you have both?
Yes. Many people get home health and home care at the same time. The home health team can show family members or a hired caregiver how to help safely.
Which one do you need?
- If you need a nurse or therapist, ask your doctor about home health.
- If you only need help with daily tasks, look into home care.
- If you are not sure, ask your doctor, or call us at 214-440-1394 (Texas) or 303-597-0505 (Colorado).
Adaptive Home Health provides home health care. We do not provide private home care. If you need more help at home, ask us about community resources.
Related pages
Questions? Call us.
We can answer questions about home health, Medicare, and your insurance, before or during care.
General information, not medical advice. Follow your care team’s instructions.