In this guide
The short version
Home care helps with daily life: bathing, meal prep, mobility, companionship. It is paid for privately. Home health is medical care like wound care or IV therapy, ordered by a physician, and is often covered by Medicare for a limited time after a hospital stay.
What home care covers
Non-medical home care supports the activities of daily living: personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, mobility support, companionship, and transportation. Wellby is a non-medical home care provider. Our caregivers are trained Wellby employees, not contractors, and we do not require a physician order to start care.
What home health covers
Home health is skilled medical care delivered at home by licensed nurses or therapists. It is ordered by a physician and governed by state licensing rules. Common examples: wound care after surgery, IV antibiotics, physical therapy after a joint replacement, or skilled nursing assessments. Home health agencies are licensed differently than home care providers.
How they work together
The two services are complementary. A common pattern: your mother has a hip replacement, Medicare covers a home health nurse and physical therapist for 6 weeks, and a Wellby caregiver helps with bathing, meal prep, and mobility on the days the therapist is not there. When the home health period ends, Wellby continues.
How each is paid for
Home care is generally private pay. Some long-term care insurance policies cover non-medical home care. Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) may cover some home care services for qualifying low-income seniors. Medicare does not cover non-medical home care. Home health, by contrast, is often covered by Medicare Part A or Part B for eligible patients after a qualifying event. Wellby is private pay only.
How to decide which one you need
Start with your doctor. If your loved one needs skilled medical care at home, ask for a home health referral. If the need is daily support and safety at home, home care is the right fit. Many families end up with both at the same time for a few weeks after a hospital stay.
Common questions
Wellby is a non-medical home care provider. We do not provide medical, nursing, or clinical services. For medical needs, contact your physician. For emergencies, call 911.
No. Medicare does not cover non-medical home care in most circumstances. Wellby is private pay only and does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance.
Yes. The two services are complementary. A home health nurse can visit for skilled medical care while a Wellby caregiver provides daily non-medical support. Many families use both at once during recovery from a hospital stay.