Families searching for care often ask whether private duty nursing and home health mean the same thing. While both involve professional nurses providing care at home, they are not identical. Home health is a short-term, physician-directed medical service typically covered by Medicare or insurance, while private duty nursing is longer-term, often more flexible, and usually paid privately. Understanding the difference helps families choose the right care for their loved one. The All Seniors Foundation provides free support to help families in Encino and beyond compare options and make confident decisions.
Quick Answer / Key Takeaways
- No, private duty nursing is not the same as home health—though both involve medical professionals in the home.
- Home health = short-term, doctor-ordered, insurance-covered skilled care for recovery or rehab.
- Private duty nursing = long-term or ongoing nursing care, often for chronic conditions, paid privately or through specialized insurance.
- Private duty nursing offers more flexibility in scheduling, services, and scope of care.
- All Seniors Foundation offers free help to families exploring nursing care options in Encino and the San Fernando Valley.
What Is Home Health?
Home health is a structured, physician-directed program of medical services delivered in the home. It is generally designed for short-term recovery after hospitalization, illness, or surgery. Home health requires a doctor’s order and is typically covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance if the patient qualifies.
Services provided under home health include:
- Skilled nursing visits: Wound care, medication injections, IV management, and health monitoring.
- Therapy services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to support recovery.
- Medical social services: Counseling and resource coordination.
- Home health aide support: Basic personal care under nurse supervision.
Home health is short-term and goal-driven. Once recovery goals are met, the service is discontinued. A nurse or therapist may only visit a few times a week, not provide continuous coverage.
What Is Private Duty Nursing?
Private duty nursing involves a licensed nurse (RN or LPN/LVN) providing one-on-one care in the home for an extended or indefinite period. Unlike home health, it does not require a physician’s order, and it is typically arranged and paid for directly by the family, through long-term care insurance, or in some cases through Medicaid programs for medically fragile children or adults.
Private duty nursing services include:
- Ongoing skilled nursing: For chronic illnesses such as ALS, multiple sclerosis, or complex diabetes.
- Ventilator and tracheostomy care: Highly specialized support often not available through traditional home health.
- Medication administration: Complex regimens including IVs, injections, or pumps.
- 24/7 care if needed: Unlike home health, private duty nurses can provide extended shifts or round-the-clock coverage.
- Care coordination: Working with doctors and specialists to maintain ongoing health stability.
Private duty nursing is flexible, often tailored to the family’s preferred schedule and level of need. For example, some families may hire a private duty nurse for 12-hour overnight shifts, while others may schedule shorter visits multiple times per week.
Key Differences Between Home Health and Private Duty Nursing
Though both services bring licensed nurses into the home, their scope, funding, and purpose differ significantly. The table below highlights the most important distinctions:
| Aspect | Home Health | Private Duty Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Short-term recovery after illness or surgery | Ongoing management of chronic or complex medical needs |
| Requires Doctor’s Order? | Yes | No |
| Typical Coverage | Insurance, Medicare, Medi-Cal | Private pay, long-term care insurance, some Medicaid programs |
| Duration | Short-term, until recovery goals met | Long-term or indefinite, based on family needs |
| Availability | Scheduled visits, not continuous | Hourly or 24/7 continuous care available |
| Types of Services | Nursing, therapy, medical social work, aides | Hands-on nursing care for chronic conditions, advanced monitoring, high-acuity needs |
Who Benefits from Home Health?
Home health is ideal for individuals who need temporary medical support at home. Typical examples include:
- A senior discharged from the hospital after hip surgery needing physical therapy and wound care
- A patient recovering from pneumonia who requires skilled nursing checks and medication management
- A stroke survivor who needs occupational or speech therapy at home
The focus is on rehabilitation and recovery. Once the patient regains independence or stabilizes, services end.
Who Benefits from Private Duty Nursing?
Private duty nursing serves those who need ongoing medical care beyond the scope of home health. Families often choose this option for:
- Children or adults with ventilators or tracheostomies requiring constant monitoring
- Seniors with advanced neurological conditions like ALS or Parkinson’s
- Patients with frequent, complex medication regimens or IV treatments
- Families who want extended shifts, such as overnight coverage, to ensure safety
Private duty nursing is not about short-term rehab but about long-term stability, safety, and comfort in the home.
Costs of Private Duty Nursing vs. Home Health
The financial side is one of the most striking differences between the two services.
- Home Health: Typically covered fully or partially by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private health insurance if criteria are met. Patients may be responsible for small copays depending on their insurance plan.
- Private Duty Nursing: Generally paid privately, though long-term care insurance may cover some or all of the costs. Medicaid may cover private duty nursing for medically fragile children or adults, but coverage for seniors is limited.
Cost Estimates in Encino (2025):
| Service | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health (nurse/therapist visit) | Covered by insurance/Medicare | Doctor-ordered, time-limited visits |
| Private Duty Nurse (RN) | $65 – $90 per hour | Higher cost for complex cases or advanced certifications |
| Private Duty Nurse (LVN/LPN) | $50 – $75 per hour | Common for ongoing monitoring and chronic conditions |
| 24/7 Private Duty Nursing | $1,200 – $1,800 per day | Significant, but provides hospital-level oversight at home |
Because of the high cost, families often reserve private duty nursing for the most complex needs, sometimes combining it with home care for additional support.
How Families Use Both Together
In some situations, home health and private duty nursing overlap. For example, a senior may receive home health services covered by Medicare after hospitalization, while the family hires a private duty nurse for extended monitoring not covered by insurance. This combined approach ensures both medical oversight and continuity of care without gaps.
Some families also use home care aides alongside private duty nursing. A nurse may provide medical oversight, while caregivers assist with bathing, meals, and companionship. This team approach keeps costs balanced while meeting all care needs.
How to Choose Between Home Health and Private Duty Nursing
When deciding which option fits best, consider:
- Medical Need: Is it short-term recovery (home health) or long-term chronic care (private duty)?
- Doctor’s Orders: Is there a physician directing treatment?
- Insurance Coverage: Will Medicare or insurance cover it, or will it require private pay?
- Schedule: Are short visits enough, or is continuous care required?
- Budget: Can the family afford private duty nursing if insurance does not cover it?
The choice often comes down to whether the family needs temporary rehabilitation or ongoing skilled oversight.
How All Seniors Foundation Helps—Free
The All Seniors Foundation supports families in Encino by offering free, unbiased guidance on home health, private duty nursing, and other care options. We help by:
- Explaining differences in clear, everyday language
- Connecting families with trusted providers in the San Fernando Valley
- Reviewing costs and coverage, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, and insurance
- Helping families combine services like private duty nursing and home care for complete support
- Providing ongoing support as needs evolve
Our goal is to give families peace of mind and the knowledge to choose the right level of care without unnecessary stress.
Conclusion
So, is private duty nursing the same as home health? The answer is no. Home health provides short-term, insurance-covered medical services prescribed by a doctor, while private duty nursing offers long-term, flexible, privately paid care for chronic or complex needs. Both bring skilled nurses into the home, but they serve very different purposes. Families often use them together to ensure continuous, comprehensive care. With the free guidance of the All Seniors Foundation, families in Encino can navigate these choices and find the right path for their loved ones.
