Visiting Angels and Medicare: What You Need to Know

Visiting Angels is a private home care company that does not bill Medicare directly. However, Medicare may help pay for some of the services Visiting Angels offers — it depends on what type of care you need and whether you meet specific medical requirements. Visiting Angels accepts Medicare beneficiaries as clients, but the payment route is different from what you might expect if you're used to Medicare covering doctor visits or hospital stays.

The key difference: Medicare covers skilled nursing care and therapy services ordered by a doctor for a medical reason. Visiting Angels primarily provides non-medical personal care — help with bathing, dressing, meals, and companionship. These services are not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may cover limited non-medical home care, and Medicaid (a separate program from Medicare) sometimes does, but Original Medicare does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Visiting Angels accepts Medicare beneficiaries but does not bill Medicare directly for personal care services.
  • Original Medicare does not pay for non-medical personal care like bathing, dressing, and companionship that Visiting Angels provides.
  • Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover limited home care services, so you should contact your specific plan to ask what is included.
  • Medicaid (not Medicare) sometimes covers non-medical home care, and coverage varies by state.
  • Most Visiting Angels clients pay out of pocket, though some use long-term care insurance or other private funding sources.

What Medicare Covers vs. What Visiting Angels Provides

Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care in your home only if you meet strict conditions: you must have been hospitalized for at least three days, be homebound, and need skilled care (like wound care or physical therapy) ordered by a doctor. A nurse or therapist, not a personal care aide, provides this care. Visiting Angels does not provide skilled nursing — they employ caregivers trained in personal care, not licensed nurses.

Visiting Angels' services include bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders (not administration), and companionship. These are called activities of daily living (ADL) information. Medicare does not cover ADL help in your home, even if you need it for medical reasons. If you need both — for example, skilled nursing from Medicare and personal care from Visiting Angels — you would pay Visiting Angels out of pocket while Medicare covers the nursing portion through a home health agency.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Visiting Angels

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are run by private insurance companies and often include benefits that Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits that may include non-medical home care, adult day care, or meal delivery. However, these benefits vary widely by plan and by year — what one plan covers another does not.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan directly and ask whether they cover non-medical personal care services or home care aides. Ask specifically whether Visiting Angels is in-network or whether they reimburse for out-of-network providers. Some plans have a list of approved home care agencies; Visiting Angels may or may not be on it. Your plan's member services number is on your insurance card.

Medicaid and Visiting Angels

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for people with low income and limited assets. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid sometimes covers non-medical personal care and home care services. However, Medicaid rules differ by state, and not all states cover home care through Visiting Angels or similar agencies.

If you think you may be may be able to access for Medicaid, contact your state Medicaid office or your local Area Agency on Aging to learn what home care services are covered in your state and whether Visiting Angels participates. Some states require you to use a specific agency or program; others allow you to choose. Medicaid coverage also depends on your income and assets, which vary by state.

How Visiting Angels Clients Usually Pay

Most Visiting Angels clients pay out of pocket for services. Visiting Angels publishes rates on their website or by request — costs vary by location and the number of hours you need. You can also ask about discounts for longer-term arrangements or multiple hours per week.

Some clients use long-term care insurance to pay for Visiting Angels services. If you have a long-term care policy, check your policy documents or call your insurance company to see whether home care is a covered benefit and whether Visiting Angels is an approved provider. Other funding sources include Veterans benefits (if you are a veteran or surviving spouse), employer retiree benefits, or family support.

What to Ask Visiting Angels About Payment

When you contact Visiting Angels, ask these questions directly: Do you accept Medicare beneficiaries? What is your hourly rate in my area? Do you bill Medicare Advantage plans, and if so, which ones? Do you accept Medicaid in my state? Do you work with long-term care insurance? Can you provide a written estimate?

Visiting Angels operates as a franchise, so policies and rates differ by location. The corporate office can direct you to your local franchise, and that office can answer questions about payment options specific to your area. Ask whether they offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and costs before you commit to services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare pay for Visiting Angels if I need help after I leave the hospital?

Medicare may pay for skilled nursing care through a Medicare-approved home health agency after hospitalization, but not for personal care from Visiting Angels. If you need both, Medicare covers the nurse and you pay Visiting Angels out of pocket for personal care help.

Will my Medicare Advantage plan pay for Visiting Angels?

Some Medicare Advantage plans include non-medical home care benefits, but coverage varies by plan. Call your plan's member services number and ask whether they cover non-medical personal care and whether Visiting Angels is in-network in your area.

Does Medicaid cover Visiting Angels services?

Medicaid sometimes covers non-medical home care, but rules differ by state. Contact your state Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging to learn whether home care is covered and whether Visiting Angels participates in your state.

What if I cannot afford Visiting Angels out of pocket?

Ask your local Area Agency on Aging about other home care programs, senior centers, or volunteer services in your area that may offer lower-cost or free information. Some communities have programs specifically for low-income seniors.

How do I find out what Visiting Angels costs in my area?

Visit the Visiting Angels website and use their location finder, or call the corporate office to be connected to your local franchise. They can provide rates and discuss payment options during a free consultation.