Home health or home care after discharge: what to compare
Published August 28, 2026 · Last updated August 28, 2026
Start with the discharge plan
Begin planning before the patient leaves the hospital. Ask the discharge planner what care will happen at home. Ask for written instructions and a current medicine list. Write down names, phone numbers and follow-up dates. AHRQ says patients and families should help plan the transition.
Discharge source: Medicare, Your discharge planning checklist, read 2026-08-28.
Care transition source: AHRQ, IDEAL Discharge Planning, read 2026-08-28.
Home health and home care differ
Home health is medical care at home under a care plan. Home care often means help with daily living tasks. People also use home care as a broad term. Ask the agency to name each service clearly.
| Type of help | Main purpose | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Home health | Skilled care, therapy or related services | Medicare rules and ordered services |
| Personal or custodial care | Bathing, dressing, meals or other daily tasks | Who pays and what tasks are included |
| Family caregiver help | Support from someone you know | Training, backup and respite options |
Names vary by agency. Ask what the visit includes instead of relying on a label.
Coverage source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Compare what Medicare covers
Medicare covers certain home health services when you qualify. It does not cover every kind of help at home. The table separates covered services from common gaps.
| Service or need | Medicare home health coverage |
|---|---|
| Skilled nursing | Part-time or intermittent care when medically necessary |
| Physical, occupational or speech therapy | Covered when conditions and care rules fit |
| Medical social services | Covered as part of eligible home health care |
| Home health aide | Covered only with qualifying skilled care |
| 24-hour home care | Not covered |
| Homemaker help alone | Not covered |
| Custodial care alone | Not covered |
Medicare also lists some durable medical equipment and home supplies.
Medicare source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Check if home health rules fit
Medicare home health has several eligibility rules. You must need part-time or intermittent skilled services. You must meet Medicare's homebound rule. A provider must assess and order the care. A Medicare-certified agency must provide it.
Homebound does not mean you can never leave home. Medicare allows medical visits and some short absences. Ask your provider how the rule applies to your situation.
Eligibility source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Ask about the first visit
Ask when the first visit will happen. Ask who will call if the visit changes. Ask which professional will lead the care plan. Ask how the agency updates your provider. Ask who answers questions after office hours.
| Question | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| When is the first visit? | You can plan the first day at home |
| Who is the main contact? | You know where routine questions go |
| What happens after hours? | You know who to call when the office is closed |
| What will you teach us? | You can ask for practice before doing a new task |
| How will the provider hear updates? | You know how care information moves |
These questions help you compare plans. They are not promises about an agency.
Medicare source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Care transition source: AHRQ, IDEAL Discharge Planning, read 2026-08-28.
Compare agencies with the same questions
Your provider should give you a list of agencies serving your area. Medicare says the provider should disclose a financial interest. Call the agencies with the same short list of questions. Ask about visits, staff, costs and contact numbers. Keep the answers beside your discharge instructions.
Medicare source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Use Care Compare as one check
Medicare Care Compare helps people find and compare providers. Use its maps and filters to narrow the list. Check the agency name against the referral list. Then ask the agency about your care plan and schedule.
| Check | What it can tell you |
|---|---|
| Provider identity | Whether the agency record matches the name you received |
| Care Compare information | Public provider information and quality details |
| Agency call | Current staffing, visits, costs and after-hours contact |
A directory record cannot decide which agency fits your care plan.
Medicare source: Medicare Care Compare, read 2026-08-28.
Keep medicines and follow-up clear
Review every medicine with the discharge team. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Ask which doses continue at home. Write down every follow-up appointment. Ask what warning signs require a call. Use teach-back when a task feels hard to remember.
Care transition source: AHRQ, IDEAL Discharge Planning, read 2026-08-28.
Discharge source: Medicare, Your discharge planning checklist, read 2026-08-28.
Our live directory snapshot
This table uses the live aggregate served by this site. The last row is our calculation from the first two rows. It is a directory measure, not a quality score or recommendation.
| Live comparison | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Medicare-certified home health agencies | 12,413 |
| ZIP codes served by at least one home health agency | 34,842 |
| Active agencies per served ZIP, computed | 0.356 |
The ratio equals active agencies divided by served ZIP codes.
Data provenance
- Source file
cms.facility (active HHA rows) and cms.facility_zip_service_area- Source URL
- https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/
- Extraction date
- 2026-10-02
- Record count
- 12,413 active HHA rows; 34,842 distinct ZIPs in the HHA service-area table
Know what this guide cannot decide
A directory cannot choose care for your family. Your treating provider and care team can discuss medical needs. Ask the hospital team about urgent warning signs. Ask your plan about coverage, costs and appeals. aHealingVisit does not sell paid referrals. Any advertising is a flat monthly fee and does not change ratings or search position.
Medicare source: Medicare.gov, Home health services, read 2026-08-28.
Questions families ask
What is the difference between home health and home care?
Home health is medical care at home under a care plan. Home care often means help with daily tasks. Ask the agency to name each service and its cost.
Does Medicare cover home care after a hospital discharge?
Medicare covers certain home health services when you meet its rules. It does not cover 24-hour care or custodial care when that is the only care you need.
How do I compare agencies after a hospital stay?
Use Care Compare to review public provider information. Then call agencies with the same questions about visits, staff, costs and contact numbers.
What should I ask before leaving the hospital?
Ask for written instructions, a medicine list, follow-up dates and warning signs to watch. Ask the team to show you any task you must do at home.
How many active home health agencies are in the live directory?
Our live national aggregate holds 12,413 active Medicare-certified home health agencies. The count is read when the page loads and can change when CMS data changes.