Home health care is a variety of services given in the home for an illness or injury and most often is ordered for a patient after a hospital stay. In order for Medicare to cover home health care, all of the following criteria must be met:
- Services must be ordered by your doctor
- You must be certified homebound by a doctor
- You must need skilled care
- You must have a written plan of care
A phone call from a stranger offering health care services in the home does not meet any of the above criteria. A stranger does not know you or your health history and cannot diagnose your needs over the phone. Always work with your doctor for your health care needs. The Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) suggests that if you receive a phone call from an unknown person offering free home health care services to just hang up!
The Illinois SMP is here to offer assistance if you feel you have been affected by fraud related to home health care, please call the Illinois SMP at AgeOptions at (800)699-6043. Learn more here.
