Medicaid-Provided Home Health Services

Home health services are a mandatory benefit for individuals who are entitled to nursing facility services under the State's Medicaid plan. Services must be provided at a recipient's place of residence, and must be ordered by a physician as part of a plan of care that the physician reviews every sixty days.

Home health services must include nursing services, as defined in the State's Nurse Practice Act, that are provided on a part-time or intermittent basis by a home health agency, home health aide services provided by a home health agency, and medical supplies, equipment, and appliances suitable for use in the home.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and audiology services are optional services that States may choose to provide. To participate in the Medicaid program, a home health agency must meet the conditions of participation for Medicare.

THESE MATERIALS WERE EDITED FROM THOSE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION (HCFA). BECAUSE THESE MATERIALS HAVE BEEN EDITED AND BECAUSE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHANGE REGULARLY, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND QUALIFIED LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACTING.