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Home / Services / Hospice vs. Home Health

Hospice vs. Home Health

Understanding the Difference in Care at Home.

Both services bring skilled medical care directly to your doorstep, but they serve very different goals. Understanding these differences is the first step to getting the right care.

Because both Hospice and Home Health care are typically provided in the comfort of a patient's own residence, families often confuse the two. The distinction ultimately comes down to the goal of the care. Are we aiming for recovery and independence, or are we aiming for comfort, peace, and quality of life?

What is Home Health?

Home Health care is short-term, skilled clinical care designed to treat an illness or injury. The primary focus is rehabilitation and recovery. It helps patients regain their independence and become as self-sufficient as possible after a hospitalization or medical event.

Key Goal: Curative treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery.

What is Hospice?

Hospice care is specialized support for individuals facing a life-limiting illness. When curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, the focus entirely shifts to managing pain, controlling symptoms, and supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family.

Key Goal: Comfort, dignity, and maximizing quality of life.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Home Health Hospice Care
Primary Focus Recovery, rehabilitation, and regaining independence. Comfort, pain management, and quality of life.
Eligibility Must need intermittent skilled nursing/therapy and be certified by a physician as "homebound." Requires a physician's certification of a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
Duration of Care Short-term. Usually provided in 30-to-60 day episodes until recovery goals are met. Can continue as long as the patient meets medical eligibility criteria.
Care Team Nurses (RNs/LPNs), Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists. Nurses, Home Health Aides, Social Workers, Chaplains, and Medical Directors.
Medications & Equipment Patient usually responsible for obtaining medications. Standard equipment may be partially covered. 100% of medications related to the terminal diagnosis, medical equipment, and supplies are covered and delivered.

Common Questions

Generally, no. Because the goals of care are inherently different (recovery vs. comfort), Medicare and other insurances usually require a patient to be admitted to either one or the other based on their current primary clinical need.
Both services are highly covered benefits. Home Health is typically covered by Medicare Part A/B, Medicaid, and private insurance when criteria are met. Hospice is covered 100% by the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicaid, and most private insurances with virtually zero out-of-pocket costs for related care.
No. While you must be certified as "homebound" (meaning it is a taxing effort to leave the house) to qualify for Home Health, there is no homebound requirement to receive Hospice care. Hospice patients are encouraged to safely enjoy outings and activities for as long as they are able.

Unsure which type of care is right?

Our care coordinators are available 24/7 to evaluate your loved one's specific situation and guide you toward the right clinical support.

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