Quick answer
Home care is non-medical help with daily life (bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, company), usually paid privately by the hour; the 2025 median was $34 an hour in Kansas and $33 in Missouri. Home health care is skilled medical care at home (nursing, physical or occupational therapy) ordered by a doctor, and Medicare pays for it in full for people who are homebound and meet the rules. Many families use both. (800) 614-8388 to talk it through.
Side by side
| Home care | Home health care | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Help with daily activities and household tasks | Skilled nursing and therapy |
| Who provides it | Caregivers, aides, companions | Nurses, therapists, home health aides |
| Doctor's order | Not needed | Required |
| How long | As long as you want | Part-time, for a period of recovery or treatment |
| Medicare | Doesn't pay for it alone | You pay $0 for covered services if homebound and eligible |
| Cost if private pay | 2025 median $34/hour in Kansas, $33 in Missouri | Usually covered by Medicare or insurance |
Hourly medians: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025.
When you need home care
- Help bathing, dressing or using the bathroom.
- Meals, light housekeeping, laundry, errands.
- Company and supervision, including for dementia.
- Help after a hospital stay, once skilled care ends.
When you need home health
- Recovering from surgery, a fall or a hospital stay.
- Wound care, injections or monitoring.
- Physical, occupational or speech therapy at home.
Medicare home health is part-time: in most cases, Medicare.gov says skilled nursing and home health aide services up to 8 hours a day combined, for a maximum of 28 hours a week. It doesn't cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, or homemaker or personal care when that's the only care needed. See Medicare and home health.
Not sure which you need?
We'll help you sort it out and find care at home near Kansas City. Free.
Questions families ask
Is home care the same as home health care?
No. Home care is non-medical help; home health is skilled medical care ordered by a doctor.
Does Medicare pay for home care?
Not for non-medical home care alone. Medicare pays for home health care when the rules are met.
Can you have both?
Yes. Many families use home health for recovery and home care for daily help.
How do I get home health care?
A doctor must order it and certify your parent is homebound. Then a Medicare-certified agency provides it.