Private Nurse, Private Duty Nurse or Concierge Nurse: What Is the Difference in Orange County?

What is the difference between a private nurse, a private duty nurse and a concierge nurse?

Only "private duty nurse" has an official definition; "private nurse" is an everyday word, and "concierge nurse" is a term private-pay practices use. None of the three is a license.

The CMS Medicare Benefit Policy Manual defines private-duty nurses as "registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or any other trained attendant whose services ordinarily are rendered to, and restricted to, a particular patient by arrangement between the patient and the private-duty nurse or attendant," engaged or paid by the patient or by someone acting on their behalf (CMS, Chapter 1, section 20, revision of August 6, 2021). We found no state or federal definition of "concierge nurse" or "private nurse", and California licenses nurses as registered nurses or licensed vocational nurses, not under either name.

Which license does the nurse actually hold?

A registered nurse (RN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Whatever the job is called, ask which license each nurse holds and look it up.

• Registered nurse: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says RNs provide and coordinate patient care, and that they need a license from the state where they work (BLS, page updated October 29, 2026). In California, the Board of Registered Nursing's explanation of RN practice (NPR-B-03, revised 2011) describes observing signs and symptoms, judging whether they are abnormal, and reporting, referring or starting emergency procedures, along with giving medicines a physician ordered.
• Licensed vocational nurse: BLS says LPNs and LVNs provide basic medical care and typically work under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors, and that the title depends on the state (BLS, page updated September 14, 2026). California's board for vocational nurses is the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
• Where to check: the state's DCA License Search covers both, and the Board of Registered Nursing says a lookup shows whether a license is current and any discipline (BRN).

Does Medicare pay for a private duty nurse?

No. Medicare lists private-duty nursing among the things it does not cover, and the CMS manual describes it as arranged and paid by the patient or someone acting for them.

Medicare.gov lists "Private-duty nursing" under "Medicare doesn't cover" on its inpatient hospital care page, and the CMS manual says "The services of a private-duty nurse or other private-duty attendant are not covered" (CMS, Chapter 1, section 20). The same manual describes a private-duty nurse as engaged or paid by the patient or someone acting for them. Our page on private duty nursing in Orange County covers how private duty care at home is arranged.

How do you tell which one you are being offered?

Ignore the label and ask five questions: who holds which license, who supervises, which hours are covered, who talks to the doctor, and what is included in the price.

1. Which license does each nurse hold? RN or LVN, with the license number so you can look it up on the DCA License Search.
2. Who supervises? If an LVN covers hours, ask which RN or doctor directs the care, since BLS says LVNs typically work under that supervision.
3. Which hours, and who covers the gaps? A schedule in writing, including nights and weekends if you need them.
4. Who talks to the doctor? How changes reach your loved one's physicians, and how quickly.
5. What is included, and how is it billed? Medicare.gov lists private-duty nursing as not covered, so ask for the rate, the minimum hours and what is billed separately, in writing.

Which words do Orange County families search for?

All three, about equally. Families use "private nurse", "private duty nurse" and "concierge nurse" interchangeably, which is why the questions above matter more than the label.

What do the sources agree on, and what is still unknown?

The sources agree that private-duty nursing is privately arranged and not covered by Medicare, and that the license is RN or LVN. Which arrangement suits a family best has not been studied.

Where can Orange County and Los Angeles families check and get help?

Look up any nurse's license on the state's search, and call your county's free information line for in-home help and caregiver support.

• License lookup: the DCA License Search for registered and vocational nurses.
• Caregivers and aides: the Department of Social Services' licensed home care fact sheet explains registered home care aides.
• Orange County: the OC Office on Aging Information and Assistance line, (714) 480-6450.
• Los Angeles County: the Aging and Disabilities Department Information and Assistance hotline, 1 (800) 510-2020.

How does WholeHealth Concierge fit in?

WholeHealth Concierge is a private-pay concierge nursing practice serving families across Orange County, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. It does not bill Medicare.

Our founder, Meagan Williams, holds California RN license 95328380. You can look it up on the state's license search.

Every plan starts with a free 15-minute phone consultation. Read more about private duty nursing in Orange County and what concierge nursing is, or call (213) 298-3288.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Statements on this page come from the public sources below, each opened and checked on the date shown. Search figures come from Google Keyword Planner, read November 2, 2026. This page is general information. WholeHealth Concierge provides nursing care and coordination; diagnosis and prescribing stay with your physicians and other licensed prescribers.

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 1, "Inpatient Hospital Services Covered Under Part A," section 20, Rev. 10892, August 6, 2021. cms.gov (PDF). Accessed November 5, 2026.
2. Medicare.gov, "Inpatient Hospital Care Coverage." medicare.gov. Accessed November 5, 2026.
3. California Board of Registered Nursing, "An Explanation of the Scope of RN Practice Including Standardized Procedures," NPR-B-03, revised January 2011. rn.ca.gov (PDF). Accessed November 1, 2026.
4. California Board of Registered Nursing, "What is the BRN?" rn.ca.gov. Accessed October 31, 2026.
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Registered Nurses," last modified October 29, 2026. bls.gov. Accessed November 5, 2026.
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses," last modified September 14, 2026. bls.gov. Accessed November 5, 2026.
7. Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). bvnpt.ca.gov. Accessed November 5, 2026.
8. California Department of Consumer Affairs, License Search. search.dca.ca.gov. Accessed November 1, 2026.
9. California Department of Social Services, "Fact Sheet: Licensed Versus Unlicensed Home Care Services," April 2022. cdss.ca.gov (PDF). Accessed October 31, 2026.
10. County of Orange, OC Office on Aging. officeonaging.oc.gov. Accessed November 4, 2026.
11. Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department. ad.lacounty.gov. Accessed November 4, 2026.

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