Being homebound means that you cannot leave your home due to advanced age, disability, or illness. Medicare uses housebound status to determine your eligibility to receive in-home care and other services.
Disability, injuries, age, and illness are the most common factors that make a person homebound.
To be considered homebound, you must have trouble leaving your home without help because of illness or injury. Being homebound also means that it is not recommended for you to leave home due to your condition.
What Does Homebound Means for Home Health Care?
People who are considered homebound can qualify for home health care. To meet the eligibility criteria for Medicare-covered home health care, you have to:
- Be considered homebound
- Be under the supervision of a doctor who needs to certify that you confined to the home
- Have a doctor verify that you need one or more of the following therapies:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Intermittent skilled nursing care
- Speech-language pathology services
Medicare covers 100 percent for skilled healthcare services that you may need as long as you are homebound.
Home health care is very beneficial for many aging persons as it allows them to stay in their homes and communities. Such programs provide medical care and assistance at home for an illness, disability, or injury, enabling the person to live independently for as long as possible.
Home health care you may receive while homebound includes skilled nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy carried out by licensed therapists, nurses, or home health aides.
Home health care provides access to skilled nursing care at your home and support with medication management, ensuring that your medical needs are met.
