When you ask the question, ‘Does Medicare cover home health care in Illinois?’ The answer is yes, but with certain conditions. Choice Care Home Health in Palos Hills offers both Medicare-certified and ACHC-accredited skilled nursing, therapy and social services to help seniors in Chicago recover safely at home. We provide loving care, avoidance of hospitals, and help you or your loved one live and flourish in a comfort zone that you know. This guide describes Medicare home health coverage, eligibility, costs, and how Choice Care can assist you in initiating care.

What Medicare Covers for Home Health Care in Illinois

As families pose the question, “Does Medicare cover home health care?” it is important to note that coverage is only given under certain conditions. Many families also ask, does Medicare pay for home care when a loved one needs nursing or therapy? Medicare home health coverage in Part A and/or Part B by reputable agencies such as Choice Care Home Health covers the following services in Illinois:

Skilled Nursing Care

My question is, does Medicare cover home care when I require nursing? Yes, part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care provided by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) is under the Medicare program. Skilled nursing services include:

• Injections, change of catheters, wound care
• IV therapy and tube feeding
• Recording of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, heart disease) and vital signs
• Long term health management caregiver and patient education

This skilled nursing care Medicare benefit helps patients in the Chicago area to get quality care at home.

Related Guide: Learn more about our Skilled Nursing Services to see how they support complex health needs.

Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

For Illinois seniors recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, Medicare covers:

• Physical Therapy: Strength, mobility, and fall-prevention training to enhance independence
• Occupational Therapy: Support for daily activities like dressing, bathing, or cooking
• Speech Therapy: Exercises for communication, swallowing, or cognitive challenges

Choice Care’s certified therapists in Palos Hills create personalized plans to help you regain confidence and functionality at home.

Related Guides: Explore our posts on In-Home Occupational Therapy and In-Home Speech Therapy for detailed recovery insights.

Medical Social Services

Medical social workers in Illinois provide:

• Counseling for emotional and mental well-being
• Connections to local Chicago-area resources (e.g., support groups, financial aid)
• Long-term care planning to ensure ongoing support

Home Health Aide Services

If you’re receiving skilled nursing or therapy, Medicare may cover part-time aide services for:

• Bathing, grooming, and dressing
• Light personal care to maintain dignity

Choice Care’s aides work closely with our nursing and therapy teams to deliver holistic care.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Medicare covers 80% of approved costs for equipment such as:

• Hospital beds, wheelchairs, and walkers
• Oxygen therapy equipment
• Wound care supplies

Make sure that they coordinate with Medicare-approved suppliers to ensure you have the right tools for recovery.

What Medicare Does NOT Cover

Even if you ask, “Will Medicare pay for home health care full-time?” Some services are excluded:

• 24/7 in-home care
• Meal delivery services
• Homemaker tasks (e.g., laundry, cleaning, shopping)
• Custodial care only (without skilled nursing or therapy)

How to Qualify for Home Health Care Under Medicare

Many Illinois families ask, “How to qualify for home health care under Medicare?” Here are the requirements:

• You must have Medicare Part A and/or Part B
• A doctor must certify you need skilled nursing care or therapy
• You must be homebound (leaving home requires significant effort or assistance)
• You must receive care from a Medicare-certified agency like Choice Care Home Health
• Your condition must be expected to improve, or you need skilled therapy oversight

Understanding Costs for Medicare Home Health Care

On meeting the eligibility requirements of Medicare:

• Medicare pays 100% of all approved home health (nursing, therapy, social work, aides) services.
• You pay 20% on durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs).
• Services that are not approved might have to be paid out of pocket.

Choice Care gives an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) when a service is not covered, so you can make a clear decision. To the family that remains in doubt, Medicare covers home care equipment and supplies; the program pays most of the items required to recover.

How to Find a Medicare-Certified Provider in Illinois

By selecting a Medicare-certified agency such as Choice Care Home Health, it is possible to guarantee quality care and bill Medicare directly instead of facing any unpleasant surprises. Here’s how to find one:

• Search by ZIP code in Illinois at the Home Health Compare Tool at Medicare.gov.
• Request your physician, hospital discharge planner, or social worker to provide Chicago area referrals.
• See Choice Care in Palos Hills to check eligibility and begin care.

The ACHC accreditation ensures high-quality assurance and that you are confident in your choice of care. That is why many families rely on Choice Care and refer to it as the provider of skilled nursing care Medicare services.

Why Choose Choice Care Home Health in Illinois?

Choice Care Home Health in Palos Hills, IL has a history of more than 20 years of providing compassionate, Medicare-certified care to seniors in the Chicago area. Our skilled nurses, therapists and social workers develop individualized strategies to help you recover, gain independence and wellbeing. We can assist you to live well at home by providing physical therapy to help you move around, skilled nursing to address chronic illnesses and social work to help you with family needs.

Key Takeaways

• Does Medicare cover home health care in Illinois? Yes, when you qualify under the rules
• Covered services: Skilled nursing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, social services, limited aide care, and 80% of DME costs
• Eligibility: must have Medicare Part A/B, doctor recommendation, be homebound and have a Medicare-certified agency.
• Expenses: Medicare pays 100% on authorized services; you pay 20% on equipment
• Quality Care: Select an Illinois provider that has ACHC accreditation.

Take the Next Step with Choice Care

Ready to explore Medicare home health care in Illinois? Contact Choice Care Home Health in Palos Hills at (708) 489-0123 or email [email protected] to verify your eligibility and start a personalized care plan. Our compassionate team is here to support your health and independence. Schedule a consultation today and experience care that feels like family!