Creator: Canela Home Health
Published: 2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z

Short answer: yes, Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can cover home health care in California when you meet a specific set of conditions. You generally need to be under a doctor’s care, be certified as “homebound,” and need part-time or intermittent skilled care, with services provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. When those conditions are met, covered home health services usually carry no cost to you for the care itself.

Below is what that means in everyday terms.

The core Medicare eligibility rules

To have home health covered by Original Medicare, all of the following generally need to be true:

You’re under the care of a doctor. A physician (or an allowed provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant) sets up and regularly reviews a plan of care for you.
A doctor certifies that you’re “homebound.” More on what this means below.
You need skilled care on a part-time or intermittent basis, that is, skilled nursing and/or skilled therapy, not full-time or long-term daily nursing.
A face-to-face visit with your certifying provider takes place within the required window, related to the reason you need home health.
The agency providing your care is Medicare-certified.

These rules come from Medicare and apply nationwide, including in California.

What “homebound” actually means

“Homebound” does not mean you can never leave your house. Under Medicare’s definition, you’re generally considered homebound when both of these are true:

You have trouble leaving home without help (for example, needing a cane, walker, wheelchair, crutches, special transportation, or another person) or leaving home is not recommended because of your condition.
Leaving home takes a considerable and taxing effort.

You can still be homebound and leave for medical appointments, religious services, adult day care, or occasional short outings (like a family event or a walk) without losing eligibility.

What counts as “skilled” care

Medicare home health is built around skilled needs, care that has to be performed or supervised by a licensed professional. Common examples include:

Skilled nursing on a part-time or intermittent basis (for example, wound care, injections, or teaching you to manage a new medication or condition).
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language therapy to help you recover or maintain function.

If you qualify for skilled care, Medicare may also cover a home health aide for personal care (like bathing help) and medical social services as part of the same plan.

What Medicare home health covers, and what it doesn’t

Typically covered when you qualify:

Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care
Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy
Home health aide services (personal care) alongside skilled care
Medical social services
Certain medical supplies and durable medical equipment (equipment is usually covered at 80% under Part B, so you may owe a coinsurance)

Generally not covered by the home health benefit:

24-hour-a-day care at home
Meal delivery
Homemaker services (like shopping or cleaning) when that’s the only care you need
Personal care alone (help with bathing, dressing, or the bathroom) when that’s the only care you need and you don’t require skilled care

This last point matters: if the only help you need is non-medical personal care or companionship, that’s usually home care, which Medicare’s home health benefit does not pay for. (We compare the two in our guide, Home Health vs. Home Care.)

What it costs

For covered home health services, you generally pay $0 for the care itself. If you need durable medical equipment, you’ll usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your Part B deductible.

Before your care begins, the agency should tell you how much Medicare will cover and give you written notice (an “Advance Beneficiary Notice”) if something won’t be covered, so there are no surprises.

The California context

The federal Medicare rules above are the same across the country, including California. A few things that are specific to the state:

Home health agencies in California are licensed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in addition to meeting federal Medicare requirements.
Some Californians have both Medicare and Medi-Cal (often called “Medi-Medi”). If that’s you, additional home and community-based support may be available beyond the Medicare home health benefit. Your options depend on your specific plan and eligibility.
If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan instead of Original Medicare, your plan must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, but networks, prior authorization, and costs can differ. Check directly with your plan.

A note about Canela and Medicare

We want to be transparent: Canela Home Health’s Medicare certification is currently in progress, and we are not yet billing Medicare. We can’t accept Medicare for services until that process is complete. In the meantime, we’re glad to explain your current options honestly, including private pay and how to explore other resources, and to point you toward Medicare-certified agencies if that’s what your situation needs right now. When our certification is finalized, we’ll update this page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a doctor's order for Medicare home health?

Yes. A doctor (or an allowed provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant) must set up and regularly review your plan of care and certify that you’re homebound and need skilled care.

Does being homebound mean I can never leave the house?

No. You can still leave for medical care, religious services, adult day programs, and occasional short outings. “Homebound” means leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort, usually with help or special transportation.

Will Medicare pay for personal care like bathing help?

Only when it’s part of a plan that also includes qualifying skilled care. If personal care or companionship is the only help you need, Medicare’s home health benefit generally does not cover it.

How much does covered home health cost me?

For covered home health services, you typically pay $0 for the care itself. Durable medical equipment is usually covered at 80%, leaving you a 20% coinsurance after your Part B deductible.

Can Canela bill my Medicare?

Not yet. Our Medicare certification is in progress, so we are not currently billing Medicare. Please reach out and we’ll walk you through your options honestly.

Does Medicare Cover Home Health in California?