Does Cigna Cover Home Health Care?
- Some Cigna Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover home health care services and items, some of which may or may not be covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). Learn more about Cigna Medicare home health care coverage.
Home health care includes a wide variety of health care services that are administered in the home and can even include items designed to help someone age in place at home.
Some Cigna Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans may help cover home health care services and items, some of which may or may not be covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
Plan benefits and availability can vary, and some home health care benefits may only be included in plans for beneficiaries with certain chronic health conditions.
What Home Health Care Can a Cigna Medicare Plan Pay For?
Medicare Advantage plans like the ones offered by Cigna cover everything that Original Medicare covers. Plans can also cover additional benefits that aren’t available with Medicare Part B or Part A. Some of these additional benefits can include things like prescription drug coverage, dental, hearing or vision.
Below we list some of the home health care and caregiving benefits offered by some Cigna Medicare plans.
Skilled Nursing Care
Skilled nursing care is care that requires a minimum level of training and experience to do, such as administering an IV, injectable medications or feeding tube, managing prescription drugs, taking care of wounds and bandages and more.
This type of care is generally executed by a nurse or other trained health care provider and can be covered in a person’s home as well as a nursing home or skilled nursing facility.
Inpatient care at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) is covered by Medicare Part A, which means all Cigna Medicare Advantage plans also cover it. Many plans may also offer additional coverage, so check with your plan evidence of coverage to learn more.
Caregiving
Caregiving differs from skilled nursing care in that caregiving typically involves personal care or “custodial” care. This is non-skilled care that can be performed by a friend or family member and includes things like assistance with mobility, bathing, eating and dressing.
“Home health aide” refers to a caregiver who has some training, also referred to as a “caretaker.” Some states require caregiving duties to be administered by a licensed home health aide to qualify for insurance coverage.
Cigna can cover the cost of services provided by a home health agency for plan members who meet certain conditions.
Therapy
Physical therapy is designed to help someone get back on their feet after an injury or operation. Occupational therapy helps improve or maintain the ability to carry out activities of daily living like dressing and bathing. And speech language therapy focuses on speaking and swallowing.
All three types of therapy can be covered when administered at home.
Social Services
Counseling for mental and emotional distress is a type of home health care that may be covered, depending on the circumstances and the plan.
Meals And Meal Delivery
A patient who returns home after a stint in a hospital or skilled nursing facility can often have fresh meals delivered to their home and covered by insurance. Other potential benefits include in-home meal preparation, grocery shopping assistance and discounts on healthy food options.
Cigna partners with GA Foods to offer coverage of 14 delivered meals after each qualifying inpatient stay.
Hospice And Respite Care
Home hospice care is covered by Cigna Medicare Advantage plans for qualifying individuals. Respite care may be available to caregivers and caretakers performing hospice care in the individual’s home.
Home Modifications
Certain insurance and Medicare Advantage plans will cover the installation of a wheelchair ramp, grab bars and other modifications made to a home that promote safety and the ability to age in place.
Durable Medical Equipment
Durable medical equipment (DME) includes things like walkers, canes and other items designed to be used primarily in the home.
Telehealth
The use of telehealth surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people used home computers, tablets and smartphone to conduct virtual appointments with healthcare providers. Telehealth coverage is an included benefit in many private plans.
Cigna plans provide a 24/7 hotline where you can consult with a board-certified doctor at any time about minor medical issues.
Fitness And Wellness Programs
Some Cigna Medicare Advantage plans may include a free membership to Silver&Fit, which is a fitness and wellness program with the opportunity to participate from home.
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