Home Health Care

Home health care refers to skilled medical services provided in the beneficiary's home when they are homebound or unable to leave for regular outpatient care. TRICARE covers medically necessary home health services as an alternative to inpatient or skilled nursing facility care.

Home health services covered by TRICARE: • Skilled nursing care (wound care, medication administration, monitoring) • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Speech-language pathology • Medical social services • Home health aide services (when combined with skilled care)

Eligibility for TRICARE home health care: • Must be homebound or have significant difficulty leaving home • Must need intermittent skilled care • Must be ordered by a TRICARE-authorized physician • Prior authorization required • Must use a TRICARE-authorized home health agency

What is NOT covered: • 24-hour-a-day nursing care • Custodial care (help with daily activities only) • Homemaker services (cooking, cleaning) • Home health aide services without concurrent skilled care needs

Cost-sharing for home health care: • Standard TRICARE cost-shares and copays apply • Network home health agencies offer lower costs • MTF-based home health programs may be available at no cost

Home health care allows beneficiaries to recover in the comfort of their home while receiving necessary skilled medical care.