Frequently Asked Questions
What services can I expect to receive from home health care?
When an individual qualifies for home health, the following services are available on an intermittent and short term basis, when ordered by a physician.
Note: sitter services and in home cleaning services are not covered under traditional home health benefits.
Skilled Nursing: Includes services and care that can only be performed by a registered or licensed nurse (RN or LPN).
Home Health Aide Service
Physical Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy (pathology services)
Occupational Therapy
Medical Social Services
What do I have to do to qualify for home health service?
If you have Medicare or other insurance with home helath service coverage, you can use your home health care benefits if you meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Your doctor must decide that you need medical care at home, and make a plan for your care at home.
- You must need at least one of the following: intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, or a continued need for occupational therapy.
- The home health agency caring for you must be approved by the Medicare program (Medicare-certified) or must contract with and accept your insurance.
- You must be homebound, or normally unable to leave home unassisted. To be homebound means that leaving home takes considerable and taxing effort. A person may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, such as a trip to the barber or to attend religious service. A need for adult day care does not keep you from getting home health care.
How can I choose the best home health service for my needs?
To assure the highest standards for home health care, a home care agency, through a voluntary process, will seek accreditation from an organization such as the Community Health Accreditation Program. This signifies that they have met national standards for quality care.
Who pays for home health services?
Public Third-Party Payers: Medicare / Veteran’s Administration / Self Pay
Private Third-Party Payers: Commercial Health Insurance Companies
Managed Care Organizations: Health Spring, Viva, and United Behavioral Health
What kind of information will you need to get my home health services started?
An order from a doctor
Insurance Information
Demographic Information
A History and Physical from your doctor is helpful