If you are homebound and qualify for coverage based on a need for skilled care, Medicare should cover your home care from a Medicare-certified home health agency regardless of whether your condition is temporary or chronic. Although beneficiaries often hear otherwise, Medicare covers skilled nursing and therapy services intended to help you maintain your ability to function or to prevent or slow you from getting worse. Medicare should not deny home health care because your condition is chronic or stable or because the care will only maintain, not improve your ability to function.

However, it can be hard to find a home health agency willing to provide Medicare-covered services to individuals with chronic care needs. If you have Original Medicare you can call 800-Medicare for a list of home health agencies in your area. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan (private health plan) you should check with your plan to find out which home health agencies are in the plans network.