At Agatha Home Health, we know that understanding what Medicare covers—and what it does not— can be confusing for families. Many people call us asking if caregiving services are included under Medicare.
The short answer is: Medicare does cover certain skilled nursing services, but generally does not cover non-medical caregiving or assistance with daily living.
Yes—Medicare covers our home health care services at Agatha Home Health.
No—Medicare generally does not cover caregiving, but there are other programs and resources available to help.
Medicare does cover skilled, medically necessary care delivered in the home, as long as eligibility requirements are met.
Covered services may include:
At Agatha Home Health, we are credentialed to provide these
services and can accept Medicare coverage for clients who qualify.
Additional non-medical services include:
These types of services are often referred to as custodial care or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) support.
Medicare will only cover them if they are part of a short-term skilled care plan, not for ongoing daily support.
If you are receiving home health therapy or skilled nursing under Medicare, a limited amount of personal care assistance may be provided *as part of that care plan* but it is temporary and medically driven.
Once therapy or skilled nursing ends, Medicare coverage for personal caregiving ends as well.
If you or your loved one needs help with daily activities but only has
Medicare, here are some options:
1. Medicaid Programs (if eligible) – Many people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual-eligibility”). Medicaid waivers, such as Maryland’s Community First Choice (CFC) program, provide coverage for caregiving and ADL support.
2. Veterans Benefits – If you are a veteran (or surviving spouse), VA programs like Aid & Attendance or Homemaker/Home Health Aide Services may cover in-home personal care.
3. Long Term Care Insurance – If you purchased a policy or have one through an employer, it can cover caregiving services at home.
4. Private Pay – Families may choose to pay out-of-pocket for caregiving services. At Agatha, we work with families to build affordable and flexible care plans.
5. Community Resources – Local senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, or non-profit programs may provide limited support or respite care.
