In short
Private duty nursing is skilled care at home from a licensed nurse for extended shifts, sometimes around the clock. It differs from Medicare home health, which is part-time or intermittent visits. Medicare does not cover private duty nursing; families pay privately or through long-term care insurance or a state program if eligible.
How it compares
^ Three kinds of help at home
| Home care aide | Medicare home health | Private duty nursing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Who | Aides and companions | Nurses, therapists, aides | Licensed nurses |
| How often | Hours you schedule | Part-time or intermittent visits | Long shifts, up to 24 hours |
| Medicare | No | Yes, if homebound and eligible | No |
When families use it
- Complex medical needs at home, such as frequent suctioning or tube feeding
- After a hospital stay, to bridge until home health or a facility is set up
- At the end of life, alongside hospice
Who pays
Medicare's home health benefit covers only part-time or intermittent care, and Medicare lists private duty nursing among the services it doesn't cover in rehab settings. Long-term care insurance may pay, and some state Medicaid programs cover nursing at home for people who qualify.
Questions families ask
Does Medicare pay for private duty nursing?
No. Medicare covers part-time or intermittent home health, not full shifts of nursing.
Is private duty nursing the same as home health?
No. Home health is visit-based skilled care ordered by a doctor. Private duty nursing provides a nurse for long shifts.
Can I hire a private nurse through an agency?
Yes. Many home care agencies place nurses. Check the license and ask what the nurse can and can't do.
Is private duty nursing covered with hospice?
The hospice benefit includes nursing visits, and continuous home care during a crisis, but not ongoing private shifts.