Submitted on Wednesday January 25th, 2012
If your relative is homebound but needs to connect periodically with a medically trained specialist, Medicare may pay for visits to the home.
Medicare does NOT pay for help that is nonmedical in nature. For instance, Medicare does not pay for help with cooking or housekeeping, even if the need is because of a medical condition such as Alzheimer's disease.
Medicare DOES pay for medical visits. Home health visits can include:
- A nurse coming to monitor progress after surgery
- A physical therapist to assist with strengthening muscles
- A speech therapist to help with communication after a stroke
- An occupational therapist to suggest devices that help with daily chores (lifting, dressing, bathing, getting up or down from a chair, etc.)