What counts as skilled nursing care at home?
Skilled nursing care at home is medical care that must be performed by a licensed RN or LPN under a physician's plan of care — wound care, IV therapy, injections, catheter care, post-surgical monitoring, and disease management. It's distinct from non-medical home care (bathing, meals, companionship).
Is in-home skilled nursing care covered by Medicare?
Yes, if you're homebound, under a physician's care plan, and need intermittent (not 24-hour) skilled nursing or therapy. Medicare covers skilled nursing visits from a Medicare-certified home health agency; it does not cover custodial or non-medical home care alone.
How is skilled nursing care at home different from home health aide care?
Skilled nursing must be delivered or supervised by a licensed nurse and addresses medical needs. Home health aide (HHA) care covers personal care tasks like bathing and dressing, typically under a nurse's care plan but not requiring a nursing license to perform.
How often does a skilled nurse visit?
Frequency is set by the physician's plan of care and the clinical need — anywhere from several times a week during an acute recovery period to a single weekly visit for stable chronic-condition management. Visits are intermittent, not continuous.
How do I start skilled nursing care at home for a family member?
Get a physician's order for home health, then contact a Medicare-certified home health agency (for covered care) or a licensed nurse registry (for private-pay arrangements). The agency or registry will complete an intake assessment and build a care plan with the ordering physician.
What conditions typically require skilled nursing care at home?
Post-surgical recovery, wound care and dressing changes, IV or infusion therapy, injections (including insulin management), new ostomy or catheter care, post-hospitalization monitoring, and complex chronic disease management (CHF, COPD, diabetes) are the most common triggers.