TN 4 (12-22)

HI 00610.390 Home Health Benefits

Prior to July 1, 1981, a Part B enrollee is entitled to 100 covered home health visits under SMI in a calendar year. The visits are reimbursed by the Part A intermediary for whichever is lower; the provider's customary charge or the reasonable cost of the covered services.

See HI 00601.300-HI 00601.440 for a discussion of covered home health services.

See HI 00601.450 for the definition of and counting of visits.

See HI 00601.300 B. for coverage requirements which apply to both Part A and Part B services.

For home health benefits to be covered under SMI, the patient must be currently enrolled in SMI and, where the home health services could be covered under Part A, not be eligible to receive such services under Part A. Where a patient is eligible for home health services under both programs the services are chargeable under Part A. When the benefits under Part A are exhausted or the requirements otherwise no longer met, the patient may then use the benefits available under Part B. A plan covering services under SMI must be established in writing before the agency bills for the services. A physician must certify that the patient is homebound and in need of intermittent skilled nursing care or physical or speech therapy. Effective July 1 through November 30, 1981, a person may also qualify for home health benefits based on the person's need for occupational therapy. Effective December 1, 1981, occupational therapy is eliminated as a basis for entitlement to home health services. However, if a person has otherwise qualified for home health services because of the need for skilled nursing care, physical therapy or speech therapy, the patient's eligibility for home health services may be extended solely on the basis of the continuing need for occupational therapy.

A prior inpatient hospital or SNF stay is not a requirement, nor need the condition being treated be related to one for which inpatient care was received. Effective July 1, 1981, the prior inpatient stay and related condition requirements for services under Part A are eliminated, as well as the 100 visit limitation under both Parts A and B.

Effective with services provided after 12/31/72, the 20% coinsurance requirement for home health benefits was eliminated.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600610390
HI 00610.390 - Home Health Benefits - 12/05/2022
Batch run: 12/05/2022
Rev:12/05/2022