Medicare Original does not cover Visiting Angels, but other options may
Medicare does not cover Visiting Angels or other non-medical home care services directly. Visiting Angels is a private home care company that provides companionship, information with daily activities, and light housekeeping — services Medicare classifies as custodial care rather than medical care. However, Medicare may cover some in-home medical services through its home health benefit, and you may have other ways to pay for Visiting Angels through Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, or out of pocket.
The distinction matters because Medicare pays only for skilled nursing care and therapy services delivered at home by Medicare-certified providers. If you need help with bathing, dressing, meals, or companionship — what Visiting Angels primarily offers — you will pay out of pocket, through Medicaid (if you may have access to), or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes supplemental benefits. Understanding which type of care you need is the first step to finding coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Original does not cover Visiting Angels or similar non-medical home care companies, as these provide custodial care rather than skilled nursing services.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental benefits that may cover non-medical in-home services, though coverage varies widely by plan and location.
- Medicaid covers non-medical home care in most states if you meet income and asset limits, and you can be enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.
- Medicare does cover skilled home health services like nursing visits and physical therapy ordered by your doctor, but only through Medicare-certified home health agencies.
- Visiting Angels costs vary by location and the number of hours you need, and you pay the company directly unless another program covers the service.
What Medicare Original covers at home
Medicare Part A and Part B together cover skilled home health services when your doctor orders them and you meet specific conditions. You must be homebound or have difficulty leaving home, and the services must be medically necessary — meaning a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist provides them. Medicare will pay for wound care, medication management, physical rehabilitation after surgery or illness, and similar skilled services.
These services come from a Medicare-certified home health agency, not from a private companion care company. Your doctor submits an order, the agency sends a nurse or therapist to your home, and Medicare covers the visits with no copay for Part A services and a copay for some Part B services. This is different from what Visiting Angels offers, which focuses on non-medical support.
If you need both skilled care and non-medical help — for example, a nurse visit twice a week and a companion to help with meals and errands on other days — you would use Medicare for the nursing visits and pay out of pocket or use another program for the companion care. Ask your doctor whether you need skilled services; if you do, request a referral to a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Medicare Advantage plans and supplemental benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include supplemental benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. These benefits vary significantly by plan, insurer, and your location. A few plans in some areas offer coverage for non-medical in-home services, adult day care, or meal delivery. Visiting Angels itself is not a covered provider under most plans, but the supplemental benefit might cover similar services from any may have access to provider, or it might cover a specific number of hours per month.
To find out whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers non-medical home care, call the plan's customer service number on your insurance card and ask specifically: "Does my plan cover non-medical in-home care or companion services, and if so, which providers are in-network?" The answer depends on your exact plan, so do not assume coverage based on what a neighbor's plan includes. Ask the representative to send you a written summary of the benefit so you have documentation.
If you are shopping for a new Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment, you can compare supplemental benefits on Medicare.gov's plan comparison tool. Look for plans that list "in-home support services" or "non-medical home care" in their benefits summary. Some plans also cover services like transportation, meal delivery, or home modifications that may help you stay independent.
Medicaid coverage for in-home care
Medicaid, the joint federal-state program for people with low income, covers non-medical in-home care in most states. The program is called different names in different states — some call it Home and Community-Based Services, others use Medicaid Waiver programs — but the idea is the same: Medicaid pays for a caregiver to help you at home instead of moving to a nursing facility. You can be enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.
If you may have access to for Medicaid based on income and assets, Medicaid will cover services like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. Medicaid does not pay Visiting Angels directly in most cases, but it pays for similar services through state-approved home care agencies or individual caregivers. Income and asset limits vary by state. Some states use the federal poverty level; others set their own thresholds.
To find out whether you might may have access to, contact your state Medicaid office or call 211 to reach a local benefits counselor who can screen you over the phone. The counselor can also tell you which home care providers are approved in your state and how long the process takes to start services.
When to use a home health agency versus private companion care
If your doctor has ordered skilled services — nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy — use a Medicare-certified home health agency. Medicare will cover these visits, and you do not need to pay out of pocket. Ask your doctor for a referral, or ask the hospital discharge planner if you are leaving a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The agency will handle the paperwork with Medicare.
If you need help with activities of daily living and no skilled care has been ordered, you have three main options: pay out of pocket for a private company like Visiting Angels, use Medicaid if you may have access to, or check whether your Medicare Advantage plan includes this benefit. Some people use a combination — for example, Medicare covers the nurse's visits, and Visiting Angels provides companionship on other days.
Private companion care companies typically charge hourly rates that you pay directly. Rates vary by location and the type of care, but you can ask Visiting Angels for a quote based on your needs. Some people use long-term care insurance to pay for these services if they purchased a policy before retirement. Keep receipts and ask your tax preparer whether home care costs are tax-deductible in your situation.
How to find out what your specific plan covers
Your coverage depends on which type of Medicare you have and which plan. Start by checking your insurance card to see whether you have Original Medicare (with a Medigap or Medicaid supplement) or a Medicare Advantage plan. Then take these steps to find out what is covered:
- Call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask: "Does my plan cover non-medical in-home care or companion services?"
- If yes, ask which providers are in-network, whether Visiting Angels is covered, and how many hours per month are covered.
- If no, ask whether your plan covers any home-based services at all, such as meal delivery or transportation.
- Request a copy of your plan's benefits summary in writing so you have the answer documented.
- If you may have access to for Medicaid, contact your state Medicaid office to ask about home care coverage in your state.
Write down the date, time, and name of the representative you spoke with. If you later have a dispute about coverage, this information helps you prove what you were told.
Questions to ask your doctor and insurance company
Before paying out of pocket for Visiting Angels or any home care service, ask your doctor: "Do I need any skilled nursing or therapy services at home?" If the answer is yes, Medicare may cover those services through a home health agency, and you should get a referral. If the answer is no, your doctor can confirm that you need non-medical support, which helps you explain your situation to your insurance company.
Ask your insurance company in writing and keep a copy of the response. Email is best because you will have a record. Ask: "Based on my plan, does Medicare or my plan cover non-medical in-home care services? If not, are there any home-based services my plan does cover?" A written answer protects you if there is a dispute later about what you were told.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Medicare Advantage plan to pay for Visiting Angels?
Some Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental benefits for non-medical in-home care, but Visiting Angels is not automatically covered. Call your plan's customer service number and ask whether non-medical home care is a covered benefit and whether Visiting Angels is an in-network provider. Coverage varies by plan and location, so you need to check your specific plan.
If Medicare does not cover Visiting Angels, what are my other options?
You can pay out of pocket for Visiting Angels, use Medicaid if you may have access to based on income and assets, check whether your Medicare Advantage plan includes this benefit, or use long-term care insurance if you have a policy. Some people combine options — for example, Medicare covers skilled nursing and Visiting Angels provides companionship on other days. Call 211 to explore subsidized programs in your area.
Does Medicare cover any in-home care at all?
Yes, Medicare covers skilled home health services ordered by your doctor, such as nursing visits, physical therapy, and wound care. These services must come from a Medicare-certified home health agency. Medicare does not cover non-medical help with daily activities like bathing or meal preparation unless you have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes this benefit.
How do I know if I need skilled care or just companion care?
Your doctor makes this information. Skilled care means a nurse or therapist must provide the service for medical reasons — for example, managing a wound or helping you regain strength after surgery. Companion care means help with daily activities that do not require medical training. Ask your doctor directly: "Do I need skilled nursing or therapy services at home?"
What if I cannot afford Visiting Angels and Medicare does not cover it?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or call 211 to explore programs in your area. Many communities offer subsidized in-home care for seniors with low income, or you may may have access to for Medicaid coverage. Some nonprofits also provide volunteer companion services at no cost or low cost.