What is home health care around Birmingham?
Home health is skilled nursing and therapy delivered at home, including inside assisted living, by an ADPH-licensed agency under a physician's plan of care, usually paid by Medicare for homebound patients.
ADPH's directory lists 32 home health agencies and 35 hospice providers based in the seven Birmingham-area counties; agencies based elsewhere may also serve the area. See the home health and hospice rosters.
Who qualifies for Medicare home health?
A Medicare beneficiary who is homebound, needs intermittent skilled nursing or therapy, and is under a physician's plan of care after a face-to-face visit generally qualifies; there is no copay for covered visits.
Home health does not provide hours-long personal care; that is non-medical home care.
How do we choose a home health agency?
Pick an ADPH-licensed agency serving your ZIP code, compare Medicare Care Compare ratings, and ask about start dates and weekend coverage.
See the home health roster.
Can home health come to a parent living in assisted living?
Yes. Alabama requires skilled services in assisted living, such as wound care, to be provided by licensed or certified outside agencies, so home health agencies routinely visit ALF and SCALF residents under a physician's order.
Tell the facility which agency is coming and when, so staff can help the resident be ready.
What does a home health start of care visit include?
A nurse or therapist reviews medications, assesses the home and the patient's condition, sets goals with the patient and family and schedules visits under the physician's plan of care, usually within a day or two of hospital discharge.
Have the discharge papers and every medication bottle ready for that first visit.
How do I compare home health agencies?
Compare Medicare Care Compare star ratings and patient survey results, ask how quickly the agency can start, whether it covers weekends and your parent's ZIP code, and how it handles after-hours calls.
You choose the agency; a hospital may suggest one but should offer a list.
Where are home health providers located across the seven counties?
ADPH's October 30, 2026 export lists 32 home health licenses in the seven counties; the table shows how they spread by county and city.
| County | Licenses | Licensed beds | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 11 | n/a | Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Gardendale, Homewood, Hoover, Trussville |
| Shelby | 4 | n/a | Birmingham, Harpersville, Hoover, Pelham |
| St. Clair | 3 | n/a | Pell City |
| Walker | 5 | n/a | Jasper |
| Blount | 3 | n/a | Oneonta |
| Chilton | 4 | n/a | Clanton |
| Bibb | 2 | n/a | Brent, Centreville |
Browse every one in the sortable roster.
At a glance
| Home health provides | It does not provide | |
|---|---|---|
| Services | Skilled nursing and therapy visits | Hours-long personal care shifts |
| Payment | Medicare coverage for homebound patients | Coverage without a doctor's plan of care |
