Home Health Care in Michigan

What you need to know about Medicare Home Health Care Services in Michigan

  • Medicare home health is designed for short term intermittent care only under a physician’s order.
  • An initial home health order by a physician is good for up to 60 days based on a skilled need for service.
  • Medicare recipients must have seen their physician within 90 days of the order and requires a face to face encounter.
  • A medical need such as new diagnoses or exacerbation of a disease type is required in order for services to be covered for either a registered nurse and/or physical therapist.
  • A Medicare participant must be considered homebound where it is a taxing effort for them to leave their home.
  • Home physical therapy is not as aggressive as outpatient physical therapy where equipment and weights can be utilized.  Home physical therapy is a great way to start care versus outpatient therapy as a patient can benefit from a visiting nurse to monitor their health at home.
  • Medical supplies such as wound care bandages are covered under Medicare and the visiting nurse will bring supplies.
  • There is no co-pay or out of pocket expense for Medicare home health.
  • Medicare does NOT pay for custodial care, assistance with daily living or companionship. It is good to know however a physician can request a home health aide to assist with bathing up to three times a week under Medicare.
  • Although your physician may suggest a particular home health care agency, under Medicare guidelines it is patient’s choice as to which provider they wish to allow in their home.
  • It is customary for the physician that sees patients in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility to order home health care upon discharge from their facility. The home health care nurse and/or physical therapist can help ensure safety and communicate care with the primary care physician for post rehabilitation follow up.
  • Medicare home health can treat a resident in an assisted living facility, residential care home or home environment just as long as there is not a duplication of services.
  • A Hospice organization has the ability to provide Medicare home health services where both Hospice and a Medicare Home Health Care Agency bill under Medicare Part A.

Should a patient elect outpatient physical therapy instead of home health care services, those services will be billed under Part B and there is a co-pay.

Read More

Arranging Non-Medical Home Care Services in Michigan

In the State of Michigan, assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing or eating are not considered a skill set covered by Medicare.  Seniors that wish to maintain their independence as long as possible in a home environment generally hire a private duty home health aide or companion to assist with these tasks.  From preparing meals to running errands or a trip to the doctor’s office, private duty home care allows seniors to age in place.  Home health aides are state licensed caregivers knowledgeable in transferring assistance and non-medical services.

Find Home Health Care in Michigan


View Blog

Senior Caregivers: A New E…

blog image Aging is an inevitable phase of a person’s life. But it was… Read more

Are Retirement Villages Th…

blog image Communities consisting of new housing, built around a core of facilities including… Read more

Care Solutions

Caregivers learn about Independent living and home care, Assisted living versus Nursing Home, Alzheimer’s care options, qualifying for Medicare home health versus non-skilled home care.

Caregiver Support

Supportive senior services, outreach programs, respite care, long term care insurance, adult daycare centers, qualifying for Aid and Attendance for home care and assisted living.