Does Medicare Cover Visiting Angels in 2025? Everything You Need to Know

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Suppose you’re considering home health care for yourself or a loved one. In that case, you might have come across Visiting Angels, a popular network of home care agencies that offers services like personal care, companionship, and assistance with daily living.

But the big question is, does Medicare cover Visiting Angels?

In this blog, we’ll dive into what Medicare covers regarding Visiting Angels’ services and what you need to know to make informed decisions. Let’s get started!

What is Visiting Angels?

Visiting Angels is a network of home healthcare providers across the United States that offers various services to support individuals in their homes. These services are often a lifeline for elderly individuals or those recovering from illness.

From companion care and meal preparation to personal care like bathing, dressing, and mobility assistance, Visiting Angels helps people live comfortably in their homes. But, as with all home health services, understanding Medicare coverage is key to managing costs.

Does Medicare Cover Visiting Angels?

Medicare can cover certain services Visiting Angels provides, but only under specific conditions. While Visiting Angels offers a wide range of services, Medicare coverage is limited to particular types of care that meet certain requirements. Let’s break it down.

When Will Medicare Pay for Visiting Angels?

Medicare will help pay for Visiting Angels’ services if the following criteria are met:

Hospital Stay: The person must have been in the hospital for at least three consecutive days.
Post-Hospital Care: They must start home care within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
Doctor Certification: A doctor must certify that skilled nursing care or therapy (such as physical therapy) is needed.

How much does Medicare pay for visiting angels

If these three requirements are met, Medicare will cover:

100% of the costs for the first 20 days.
For days 21 to 100, Medicare will cover a set amount per day.
After 100 days, the patient will be responsible for all costs.

What Services Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers certain home health services, especially if the patient is homebound due to a medical condition. These services include:

Part-time nursing care.
Short-term therapies (like physical, speech, or occupational therapy).
Durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, etc.).

If you meet the criteria and your doctor certifies the need, Medicare will cover these services to help you recover and manage your health at home.

How much Does visiting Angels cost per Hour?

According to the respected Genworth Survey, the average cost of in-home care in Western North Carolina was $33 per hour in 2023.

With a projected 3% annual inflation, this cost is expected to rise gradually, reaching an estimated average of $35 per hour in 2025, $40 per hour in 2030, and $46 per hour by 2035. These figures are for in-home aides, with hourly rates for Nurse Aides (CNAs) typically being even higher.

Having a clear understanding of hourly rates can greatly assist in budgeting for in-home care services. Many families opt to combine professional caregiving with their own personal caregiving efforts.

Hourly caregivers can provide crucial relief for family caregivers, giving them the opportunity to take a break and focus on their personal well-being. Family caregivers often dedicate themselves fully to their loved ones, but self-care is essential.

For this reason, even full-time caregivers should consider seeking assistance periodically to maintain their own health and balance.

Will Medicare pay for a wheelchair?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated scooters and wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME) if your treating physician provides a written order confirming your medical necessity for use at home.

What Does Medicare NOT Cover?

While Medicare can be a great help, it does not cover all services provided by Visiting Angels. Here are the main things that Medicare won’t cover:

24-hour care: Medicare doesn’t cover around-the-clock assistance.
Companionship: Help with social interaction or companionship is not covered.
Errands and Housework: Tasks like grocery shopping, meal prep, and house cleaning are not covered.
Personal care: Assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, and toileting is also excluded.

These types of care may be essential but are generally considered non-medical and outside the scope of Medicare’s home health coverage.

Special Situations: When Medicare Can Help

There are certain circumstances where Medicare can provide coverage for specific services provided by Visiting Angels:

Recovery Care: If you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, Medicare can cover services like physical therapy and nursing care. The care needs to be ordered by a doctor, and the patient must be homebound.
Hospice Care: If someone is terminally ill and expected to live six months or less, Medicare can help cover hospice care, including services from Visiting Angels. This can include medical equipment, therapies, and support services.

If you’re receiving hospice care, Medicare will pay for most of your care, except for a copayment for prescription drugs under Part D.

How to Get Help with Medicare and Visiting Angels

Navigating Medicare and home health care can be confusing. If you’re unsure what’s covered or need help understanding your options, you can:

Contact Visiting Angels directly to ask about their services and if they fit within Medicare’s guidelines.
Talk to a Medicare expert: Experts can help you understand what is covered and help you compare plans.

Review your Medicare plan to ensure it fits your health needs best.

Conclusion: Does Medicare cover Visiting Angels?

Yes, Medicare can cover some services provided by Visiting Angels, but only under specific conditions, such as post-hospital care with doctor certification.

For short-term recovery, physical therapy, and nursing care, Medicare can help cover the costs. However, services like 24-hour care, companionship, or help with housework are not covered.

It’s important to speak with both your doctor and Visiting Angels to make sure you qualify for Medicare coverage and always double-check with Medicare to avoid unexpected costs. Understanding these details now can help you plan for the care you need without surprises later.

If you’re looking for assistance or more information about Medicare, don’t hesitate to contact a Medicare expert or call Visiting Angels to clarify your specific needs and coverage options.