Home Health vs. Concierge Nursing: What’s the Real Difference?
If you’re exploring in-home care, you’ve likely come across two terms: home health and concierge nursing. They sound similar — both involve nurses, both happen in your home — but they’re actually very different models of care. Understanding the difference can help you choose the support that fits your life, not just your diagnosis.
What Is Home Health?
Home health is usually insurance-based care provided by a nurse or therapist for a short-term medical need. It’s often approved after a hospital stay, surgery, or new diagnosis. Visits are brief (30–60 minutes) and task-specific.
Key Features:
Covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or insurance
Must be “medically necessary”
Strictly scheduled, often 1–3x per week
Nurses work under physician orders
Services end when insurance says so
What Is Concierge Nursing?
Concierge nursing is private-pay, customized care led by a licensed nurse — on your terms. It can include clinical care, coordination, and emotional support, all tailored to what you need, not just what insurance allows.
Key Features:
Paid privately (hourly, visit-based, or monthly retainer)
Personalized: you set the pace, duration, and goals
Flexible scheduling (even same-day visits)
Nurses advocate directly for you with doctors, specialists, etc.
Care continues as long as you want it to
Let’s Compare Side-by-Side:
Home Health (Traditional)
Who Pays? Insurance or Medicare
Visit Length: 30 - 60 minutes
Who Controls the Schedule? Set by the insurance provider and home health agency
Scope of Care: Medical tasks only (e.g., vitals, wound care)
Flexibility: Low - rigid schedule and care limitations
Emotional Support: Limited; visits are task-oriented
Continuity of Care: Ends once care is deemed “medically unnecessary”
Concierge Nursing (Private Care)
Who Pays? Private pay (out of pocket or health savings accounts)
Visit Length: 1–3 hours or more, based on your needs
Who Controls the Schedule? You and the nurse; fully customized
Scope of Care: Medical care plus care coordination, education, and advocacy
Flexibility: High - tailored to your life, not insurance codes
Emotional Support: Built-in - time and space for real conversation
Continuity of Care: Ongoing support, even beyond clinical needs
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose home health if you qualify through insurance and only need basic, short-term medical care.
Choose concierge nursing if you want more time, more flexibility, and a deeper relationship with your nurse — especially if you’re managing complex care, chronic conditions, or family overwhelm.
The Willow & Wells Approach
We’re not a substitute for home health — we’re something entirely different. Our clients choose us for proactive, relationship-based care that goes beyond checklists. We coordinate, advocate, and walk with you through every phase of care.
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