Home health care includes services received in the home that are provided by skilled professionals.

Anyone who is in need of skilled services and meets the following conditions:

1. You are under the care of a doctor who decides you need medical care at home and makes a plan for your care.
2. You have recently had a change in medication or health condition, been in the hospital or had surgery.
3. You are homebound. This means that leaving your home requires taxing effort. When you leave, it is for medical care, or short, infrequent non-medial reasons such as to get a haircut, attend religious services or attend adult day care.

Some common needs that would warrant home care are:

• Wound care
• Orthopedic surgery
• Hospitalization
• Changes in a medical condition such as hypertension, diabetes or lung disease
• Need for assistance in activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming and linen changes
• Need for education about management of a medical condition
• Intermittent skilled nursing care

To be homebound means the following:

• Leaving your home isn’t recommended because of your condition.
• Your condition keeps you from leaving home without help such as using a wheelchair or walker, needing special transportation or getting help from another person.
• Leaving home takes a considerable and taxing effort.

A person may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, such as attending religious services. You can still get home health care if you attend adult day care, but you would receive home care services in your home.

If you have any other questions that have not been answered in the above sections, please contact us for more information.

Home health care is covered by Medicare and most other private insurances on a case-by-case basis. Medicaid will pay a reduced rate for personal care assistance. Getting care from a home health agency that is Medicare-certified can reduce out-of-pocket costs. The Medicare-certified home health agency agrees to accept payment from Medicare and only what Medicare approves to pay for services. Although most health plans will cover the cost of home health care, you will need to make sure you meet the requirements and conditions in order to qualify. Most health plans cover the cost of home health care. However, each plan may have certain conditions or criteria that must be met in order to qualify. If you are interested in learning more or finding out if you are covered, please contact your insurance company or our agency. We will be happy to contact your insurance company for you.

Yes. By law, all doctors and hospitals are required to allow you to choose which home care agency you use.

How do I know what services I will need? Your doctor will determine the services you need and write orders for your care. In most cases, your doctor will recommend home health care. From there, a nurse is sent from the agency, and along with the doctor, will determine what services would benefit the patient the most.

How often will I receive services in my home? The frequency of visits will depend on the patient's needs and the physician's orders. A plan of care is written and discussed with the patient on admission.