When you have a loved one who needs support at home, trying to decipher the difference between home care vs home health care can feel confusing. Both services allow your loved one to remain safe and comfortable in their home, but they involve different types of care – help with everyday activities vs skilled medical care. Understanding what distinguishes these services can help you choose the option that best supports your loved one’s health, independence and quality of life. 

In this article, we’ll share five important questions to consider that can help guide you in choosing which level of care is most appropriate. 

If you’re seeking dedicated, compassionate care at home for a loved one, we encourage you to reach out to us. 3HC provides skilled medical care services, for when your loved one needs specialized clinical support in the home. For decades, we have served 18 counties in Eastern North Carolina. We invite you to learn more about how to get care. 

What Are the Main Differences Between Home and Home Health Care?

The primary difference is that home health care provides doctor-prescribed medical services by licensed professionals, while home care involves non-medical assistance with daily living tasks. 

Home health care:

• Is medically focused and typically prescribed by a physician 
• Focuses on illness, injury, rehabilitation, managing a chronic health condition or other medical needs
• Involves nurses, therapists or medical aides
• May be short-term or intermittent
• Is often covered by Medicare if eligibility requirements are met

Home care:

• Provides daily living assistance 
• Supports safety at home, independent living and quality of life
• Involves caregivers, companions or homemakers
• May be ongoing and provide long-term support
• Is typically paid out-of-pocket unless another program covers it

What Type of Care is Provided in Home vs Home Health Care?

Here are the types of care typically provided with each service to help you determine which level of care best meets your loved one’s needs.

Home health care services may include:

• Skilled nursing care
• Wound care
• Recovery support post-surgery or illness
• Chronic disease monitoring
• Medication management and monitoring
• Care coordination with physicians 
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy services

Home care services may include help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other supportive tasks, such as:

• Bathing, grooming and dressing assistance 
• Toileting
• Mobility assistance
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Companionship and social support 

How Do You Pay for Home vs Home Health Care?

Coverage and payment options differ depending on the service required.

Payment for home health care:

• Home health care may be covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid or private insurance when eligibility requirements are met.
• Typically, services must be considered medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor to meet eligibility requirements.

In most cases, Medicare does not cover long-term personal care services like bathing, meal preparation, housekeeping and similar activities of daily living. 

Payment for home care:

• Because it is considered non-medical, home care is typically paid for out-of-pocket.
• In some cases, you may be able to receive financial support through:
  • State and community assistance programs
  • Medicaid programs
  • Long-term care insurance 
  • Veterans benefits

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Home and Home Health Care?

Eligibility requirements vary between the two types of care.

Home health care eligibility usually requires:

• A physician’s order 
• Medical necessity for skilled care
• A documented care plan reviewed by healthcare providers
• The patient to be considered homebound, i.e., leaving the home requires significant effort or assistance

Home care services usually have fewer eligibility requirements:

• A physician’s referral is generally not required.
• Services are available to those who need assistance with daily living activities.
• An assessment may be conducted to determine service needs and create a personalized care plan.
• Eligibility rules vary depending on the funding source. 

At 3HC, our trained staff is knowledgeable about eligibility requirements and insurance coverage. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to guide you.

What Is Your Loved One’s Primary Need Right Now?

And finally, a fifth question to consider when determining the appropriate level of care is: What is your loved one’s primary need right now?

Home health care may be the right choice when the primary need is medical and your loved one requires:

• Nursing care
• Ongoing medical monitoring
• Recovery support after hospitalization 
• Help with managing a serious illness 
• Therapy services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy)

Home care may be the best option when the primary need is daily assistance, such as when your loved one could use help with:

• Bathing and dressing
• Meal preparation 
• Household support
• Mobility
• Companionship 

Sometimes your loved one may benefit from home care and home health care simultaneously, depending on their circumstances. 

3HC: Expert, Compassionate Care at Home 

We realize that choosing between home care and home health care can feel confusing. By understanding the differences between the two services, you can make the choice that best supports your loved one’s independence and safety, while ensuring peace of mind for the entire family.

When your loved one needs comprehensive skilled medical support at home, our expert team at 3HC is here for you. We’ll treat your family as if they were our own through every step of the journey. 

We invite you to learn more about how to get care.