After a hospital stay, surgery, or change in your health, the best place to recover is often your own home. Many people don’t realize that Medicare can cover the cost of professional care during this time, helping you get stronger and avoid rehospitalization.

However, the rules are specific. This guide explains what Medicare’s home health benefit includes, the key requirements you need to meet, and how we make the process simple.

Skilled Services Covered by Medicare

Medicare’s benefit is designed for short-term, skilled care ordered by your doctor to treat an illness or injury. It can include:

• Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing from an RN or LPN.
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy to help you regain function.
• Medical social services to help you with the social and emotional aspects of recovery.
• Home health aide visits for personal care, but only if you are also receiving skilled nursing or therapy.
• Certain medical supplies and durable medical equipment (DME).

Key Requirements & Limitations

To use your Medicare home health benefit, you must meet a few important criteria. We help you and your doctor document these.

You Must Be “Homebound”

This is a key requirement. It doesn’t mean you can never leave home, but it does mean leaving takes a considerable and taxing effort, often requiring assistance.

You Need a Doctor’s Order

A doctor must certify that you need skilled care and create a plan of care for you.

What Medicare Does Not Cover

It is important to know that Original Medicare does not pay for:

• 24-hour care at home.
• Meal delivery services.
• Homemaker or cleaning services.
• Personal or custodial care (help with bathing, dressing) if that is the only care you need.

What About Medicare Advantage Plans?

If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan from a private insurer, your benefits might be different. Many of these plans offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as extended personal care. WeCare partners with most major Medicare Advantage plans in our service area.

Our Simple 3-Step Process to Start Care

1. Eligibility Check: Contact us and we will verify your Medicare benefits and confirm you meet the requirements.
2. Doctor Coordination: We work directly with your physician’s office to get the required orders and establish your official plan of care.
3. Your Care Begins: Your skilled nurse or therapist will schedule their first visit to your home to begin treatment.

Check Your Medicare Eligibility Today →

If you are a New Jersey resident, managing a health condition at home can be made easier with your NJ FamilyCare plan. This program can cover professional medical and personal care right in your home—often at no cost—allowing you to recover and live more independently.

This guide breaks down what services are available for New Jerseyans, who qualifies, and how to get started.

What Services Does NJ FamilyCare Cover?

NJ FamilyCare pays for a wide range of services to support your health at home.

Skilled Medical Care

• Nursing visits for wound care or post-surgical follow-up
• Administering IV medications and injections
• Medication management and education
• Monitoring of chronic conditions like diabetes or COPD

Personal & Supportive Care (through MLTSS & DDD)

• Help with daily activities like bathing, grooming, and meals, typically through the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program.
• Supportive services for individuals through New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
• Home safety assessments and fall prevention strategies.

Am I Eligible for NJ FamilyCare Home Services?

Eligibility requirements generally come down to three key things. We can help you confirm each one.

• You must have active NJ FamilyCare coverage.
• A doctor must confirm your medical need for in-home care.
• For personal care, an assessment by a state nurse is often required to enroll in a program like MLTSS.

Our Simple 3-Step Process

We make starting care in New Jersey as easy as possible:

1. Contact Our Team: We’ll confirm your specific NJ FamilyCare plan benefits and answer all your questions.
2. We Build Your Care Plan: We coordinate directly with your doctor to create a personalized plan of care and handle all required authorizations with your insurer.
3. Your Care Begins: A member of our clinical team will visit you at home, often within just a few days.

Focus on Your Health, Not the Paperwork

Navigating the healthcare system in New Jersey can be overwhelming. Our goal at WeCare is to handle all the coordination with your NJ FamilyCare plan and your doctor’s office. This lets you focus on what truly matters—feeling better and staying safe in the place you love most.

Verify Your NJ FamilyCare Benefits →