Home health care
is health care provided in your home. Most often it is used by people
who are in the early stages of AD who require assistance or treatment,
but are well enough to be cared for at home.
What
agencies or organizations provide home health care?
There are nearly 10,000 home health care agencies in the United States.
Home health care providers include registered, licensed, practical and
vocational nurses, home care aides, and medical social workers.
What
services do home health care agencies provide? The services provided
will vary depending on the needs of the patient. Services range from
skilled nursing and mental health care to hospice service, social work
and physical therapy. High-tech services previously provided only in
hospitals, such as ventilator care, blood transfusions, pain management
and home chemotherapy are now routinely provided in the home.
Will my insurance
cover home health care? If the care
is medically necessary and the patient meets certain coverage requirements,
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans will usually pay
for home health care services. Different private insurance carriers
have different policies. For services that are not covered, patients
may choose to pay out of their own pocket. Some agencies are subsidized
by community groups and some receive funding from local and state
government to assist patients in paying for their care when they have
no available resources.
How
do I choose the right home health care provider?
There are many important factors to consider in choosing the best agency
to meet your needs. First you must assess what types of services you
will need and find an agency that offers those services. Ask the agencies
you are considering about their accreditations, licenses and certifications.
You'll also want to evaluate the quality of care, and the skills and
training of personnel at the agencies under consideration.
What
do I do if there is a problem? If you've
selected your home health agency carefully, you'll probably avoid most
problems. If a problem should come up, report it directly to the head
administrator of the agency. You may also make a complaint to your state's
department of health, State Medicare hot line or your local Better Business
Bureau.
