Does Medicare pay for home health care and what does it cover?

Medicare Part A and Part B both cover home health care under specific conditions. Eligibility requires: the patient is homebound (unable to leave home without considerable effort), care is provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency, services ordered by a physician are 'skilled' (skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy), and care is medically necessary. Medicare covers: skilled nursing visits, physical/occupational/speech therapy, medical social services, home health aide services (only when skilled care is also being received), and some medical equipment. Medicare does NOT cover: 24-hour home care, personal care aide services alone (bathing/dressing without skilled need), meal delivery, or homemaker services. Balance Foot & Ankle coordinates with home health agencies for post-surgical foot care — call (810) 206-1402.

Does Medicaid cover home health care in Michigan?

Yes — Michigan Medicaid covers home health care through several programs: traditional Medicaid home health benefit (similar to Medicare — skilled services for homebound Medicaid beneficiaries), PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly — comprehensive managed care including home care), MI Choice Medicaid Waiver (home and community-based services for seniors who would otherwise require nursing home level care — including personal care, respite, home delivered meals), and the Children's Waiver Program for pediatric patients. Medicaid home health requires a physician's order and prior authorization. Coverage is more extensive than Medicare for long-term personal care needs. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Medicaid and provides home-care-coordinated foot services in Howell and Bloomfield Hills — call (810) 206-1402.

What is the difference between Medicare home health and private duty home care?

Medicare home health is episodic, short-term, and skill-based — it covers medically necessary skilled services (nursing, therapy) for homebound patients recovering from illness or injury. Private duty home care is long-term, personal care-focused — covering companionship, homemaking, bathing, dressing, and 24-hour supervision that Medicare doesn't pay for. Medicare pays 100% for covered home health services with no deductible or copay. Private duty care is paid out-of-pocket, by long-term care insurance, or by Medicaid (in states with waiver programs). After foot surgery, Medicare may initially cover home health nursing and physical therapy; when skilled needs end, private duty care may continue. Balance Foot & Ankle coordinates post-surgical home care in Howell and Bloomfield Hills — call (810) 206-1402.

How does a physician's order initiate home health care?

Home health care initiated by physician order: the physician (or podiatrist, in the case of foot conditions) certifies that the patient is homebound and needs skilled services, orders specific services (skilled nursing 3x/week, PT 2x/week, etc.), and signs a Plan of Care (485 form) within required timeframes. The home health agency then conducts an OASIS assessment, develops a care plan, and begins services. The physician must review and re-certify the care plan every 60 days if care continues. Podiatrists can order and certify home health care for foot-related conditions. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208) orders and coordinates home health for qualifying foot care patients — call (810) 206-1402.

What alternatives exist for paying for home care when Medicare ends?

When Medicare home health coverage ends (no more skilled needs or homebound status), payment options include: long-term care insurance (most comprehensive private option), Medicaid MI Choice Waiver (for those who qualify financially and medically), Veterans' Aid & Attendance benefit (for eligible veterans), reverse mortgage proceeds, personal savings, family contributions, and elder law planning strategies. Some people transition from Medicare-covered home health to private duty care for ongoing personal care. Proactive planning before the need arises is essential. Maintaining health — including foot health to prevent falls and surgery — reduces the likelihood of needing extensive home care. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI — call (810) 206-1402.

When should I see a podiatrist?

For persistent foot/ankle pain, difficulty walking, numbness, non-healing wounds, skin changes, or deformities. Dr. Biernacki offers same-day appointments. Call 810-206-1402.

Does Dr. Biernacki accept insurance?

Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major plans including BCBS, Aetna, United, Cigna & Medicare. Call 810-206-1402 to verify coverage. Affordable self-pay options available.

What to expect at your first podiatry visit?

Comprehensive evaluation including history, exam, biomechanical assessment, and in-office X-rays. Same-day diagnosis and treatment when possible. Most visits take 30-45 minutes.

Does Medicare cover podiatrist visits?

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary podiatric services including treatment of foot injuries, diabetic foot care (for qualifying patients), bunion and hammertoe treatment, and fungal nail care with a qualifying systemic condition. Routine foot care is generally not covered without a qualifying diagnosis.

Does Medicaid cover home health foot care?

Medicaid coverage varies by state. In Michigan, Medicaid generally covers medically necessary podiatric care and may cover home health services including foot care for qualifying homebound patients. Contact your Medicaid plan for specific coverage details.

How can I reduce out-of-pocket costs for foot care?

Use your Medicare benefits for qualifying conditions, check if your Medicare Advantage plan has additional podiatric benefits, use FSA/HSA funds for copays and non-covered services, and ask about our office payment plans for uncovered procedures.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

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Michigan Home Care Patients: Podiatric Services Covered by Medicare

Michigan home care patients receiving Medicare benefits should be aware that routine and therapeutic foot care services provided by a podiatrist are covered when medically indicated — including for diabetic foot examinations, treatment of systemic conditions affecting the foot, nail debridement for patients who cannot safely trim their own nails due to systemic disease, and wound care for foot ulcers and non-healing wounds. Patients receiving home health services for a skilled nursing need who also have foot care needs can ask their home health agency to coordinate a podiatric consultation. Alternatively, patients or family members can arrange outpatient podiatric care directly. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we see Medicare patients at both our Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208) locations and verify coverage before scheduling. Family members coordinating care for a Michigan home care patient with foot or nail care needs can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to discuss appropriate services and insurance coverage.

Expert Podiatric Evaluation for Michigan Patients: Balance Foot & Ankle

Related Treatment Guides

Michigan patients with foot or ankle conditions requiring expert evaluation can schedule with Balance Foot & Ankle, a fellowship-trained podiatric surgery practice serving Livingston County from our Howell office (4330 E Grand River) and Oakland County from our Bloomfield Hills office (43494 Woodward Ave #208). We provide the full spectrum of podiatric care: conservative management including custom orthotics, bracing, injection therapy, and physical therapy coordination; advanced interventional options including EPAT (extracorporeal pulse activation therapy) for tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis; and surgical correction for structural, traumatic, and degenerative foot and ankle conditions. In-office digital X-ray is available at both locations for same-visit imaging. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans. Same-week new patient appointments are available — call (810) 206-1402 to schedule with Balance Foot & Ankle.

Medical References & Sources

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Navigating Medicare Coverage for Foot Care?

Understanding your Medicare benefits for podiatric services can save you money. Our office accepts Medicare and helps maximize your coverage.

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Clinical References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare benefit policy manual, Chapter 15. CMS.gov. 2022.
Menz HB et al. Foot problems as a risk factor for falls in community-dwelling older people. Gerontology. 2006;52(3):174-180.
Driver VR et al. The costs of diabetic foot: the economic case for the limb salvage team. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2010;52(3):17S-22S.

Insurance Accepted

BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →

Howell Office

3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140

Howell, MI 48843

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Bloomfield Hills Office

43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

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