Medicare Part B benefits help pay for home health services, including caregivers. However, it doesn't cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, or personal attention when personal attention is all that's needed. Medicare doesn't offer refunds to family caregivers. It also doesn't cover payment for long-term care services, such as home care or day services for adults.
There are some Medicare Advantage plans that offer coverage for services such as food delivery or transportation to medical appointments, but they are limited. No, Medicare will not pay family members to act as caregivers. However, some Medicaid programs may allow it if the beneficiary is enrolled in Medicaid. This varies by state, so check the Medicaid rules to find out if this is possible for you. A home health aide has formal training to provide basic medical support, such as monitoring vital signs and following therapy regimens, while a caregiver provides more general assistance with activities of daily living.
Medicare only covers home health aides when they're part of a larger specialized care plan, while general caregivers aren't usually covered. When medical needs require home care, many older people and their families wonder if Medicare will cover care services.
