The Research Institute for Home Care (RIHC), in partnership with KNG Health Consulting, has released the 2025 Home Health Chartbook, offering a comprehensive, data-driven look at the patients, workforce, and economic impact of home health care nationwide.

Drawing from Medicare claims, cost reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and other federal sources, the Chartbook provides one of the most robust snapshots available of how home health services are utilized — and why they remain a critical component of the health care continuum.

Key Takeaways for Home Health Providers

Florida Spotlight: Key Data Points

• 919 Medicare-certified home health agencies operate in Florida, one of the highest totals in the nation, reflecting the state’s large and active provider landscape.
• Florida home health agencies serve an average of 281 Medicare patients per provider, slightly above the national average (269), indicating strong utilization and patient demand.
• The home health workforce in Florida includes approximately 84,562 employees, supporting an estimated 131,612 total jobs when accounting for economic ripple effects.
• Florida has about 362 home health workers per 100,000 residents, below the national average (517), signaling potential workforce capacity challenges relative to demand.
• Home health services in Florida generate significant economic impact, contributing to job creation and broader economic activity across local communities.
• Florida’s 30-day hospital readmission rate for home health patients is 17.6%, slightly above the national average of 16.8%, highlighting ongoing opportunities to improve outcomes and care coordination.

These data reinforce Florida’s position as a high-demand, high-impact home health market — but one facing clear workforce and outcome pressures that will shape future policy discussions.

A Small But High-Need Patient Population

Home health serves a relatively small share of Medicare beneficiaries — roughly 6% across traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage combined — but these patients are among the most clinically complex and vulnerable.

Data show that home health users are more likely to:

• Have lower incomes
• Be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
• Report poorer health status compared to the broader Medicare population

This reinforces the role of home health as a targeted, high-impact service for medically and socially complex patients.

Central Role in Post-Acute Care and Community-Based Care

Home health continues to play a critical role in post-acute care pathways and community-based care delivery.

• Nearly half of home health admissions originate from the community (48%), not institutional settings
• Hospitals remain the largest referral source, but physicians and clinics also drive a significant share of utilization

This trend reflects a broader shift toward:

• Earlier intervention in the home
• Avoidance of institutional care
• Greater integration across care settings

Industry Growth, But With Structural Pressures

While demand for home health services remains strong, the number of Medicare-certified home health agencies has declined over time, signaling ongoing consolidation and operational pressures.

At the same time:

• Visit intensity remains relatively stable (approximately 7-8 visits per 30-day period)
• Agencies continue to balance efficiency with increasing patient complexity

These dynamics underscore the financial and regulatory pressures facing providers, particularly in the context of reimbursement uncertainty and workforce challenges.

A Major and Growing Workforce Sector

Home health care has become a substantial and rapidly expanding segment of the U.S. workforce. Employment in the field has steadily increased, reaching over 1.7 million jobs nationwide by 2024.

This growth highlights:

• The sector’s importance as a major health care employer
• The ongoing need for workforce investment, recruitment, and retention strategies

Ongoing Focus on Outcomes and Value

The Chartbook also examines outcomes such as 30-day rehospitalization rates, reinforcing the role of home health in:

• Reducing avoidable hospitalizations
• Supporting recovery in lower-cost, patient-preferred settings

These data continue to support the value proposition of home health as a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to institutional care.

Why This Matters

The 2025 Chartbook arrives at a critical time as policymakers and regulators continue to evaluate:

• Medicare payment reforms
• Medicaid access and workforce policies
• The role of home-based care in managing an aging population

The data reinforce a clear message: Home health providers are caring for the most complex patients, driving workforce growth, and playing an increasingly central role in the future of health care delivery.

HCAF will continue to monitor and analyze these data trends to inform advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels. Insights from the Chartbook are particularly relevant as policymakers consider reimbursement, workforce investment, and access to care — issues that directly impact Florida providers and the patients they serve.

Upcoming Webinar: Dive Deeper Into the Data

Providers are encouraged to join an upcoming webinar to explore the findings in greater detail:

Reviewing New Trends and Data in the 2025 Home Health Chartbook
Thursday, March 24, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

Researchers from KNG Health Consulting will join National Alliance for Care at Home staff to:

• Highlight new and emerging trends in home health
• Provide guidance on how to interpret and apply Chartbook data
• Share new insights uncovered in this year’s analysis
• Answer questions directly from participants

Click here for more information and to register online.