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- What type of people receive home care?
- How can a loved one receive care at home?
- What innovations have occurred in home care?
- Who provides home care services?
- What should I expect from a home care agency?
- How do I choose a home care agency?
- How do I know that the home care company's personnel are qualified to provide care at home?
- Who pays for home care services?
- What about education to help me with my home care treatment?
- What is Skilled Care?
- Who decides if I need skilled care?
- Who coordinates my care plan?
- Am I eligible for Medicare?
- Will my home health care services be covered by Medicare?
- Are those the only home health care services covered by Medicare?
- Can one home health care agency provide all of these services?
 What type of people receive home care?
  People who need some level of care, but do not require hospitalization or other inpatient facility care, and who prefer to receive treatment at home. From infants to adults, people who are recovering from an illness or hospital stay, who are disabled, chronically or terminally ill and require health care or personal care can benefit from services provided at home.
How can a loved one receive care at home?
Home care treatment of a medical condition usually requires a physician order from the client's physician. Supportive services often do not require a doctor's order. A person can receive one type of care or a whole range of services, depending on the nature of the medical condition or the type of service they need to stay at home. Home care companies will work with the client, their family and the physician to prepare the best plan of care.
What innovations have occurred in home care?
Home care therapies now include treatments for complex medical situations such as cancer, stroke, heart disease and severe respiratory conditions. Chronically ill, terminally ill and physically disabled individuals can receive ongoing treatments at home.
Who provides home care services?
Home care services are offered by a variety of companies. Home health agencies, hospices, homemaker and home care aide agencies, staffing and private-duty agencies, pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies, home medical equipment and supply dealers, and independent providers all provide home care services.
What should I expect from a home care company?
A home care company should provide qualified personnel who can treat and train the client and the family to help ensure independence in the home. You should expect to work with people who have the best experience in providing care in the home, who know what they are doing and who work with the family and the physician to alleviate the stress and confusion of taking care of a loved one at home.
How do I choose a home care company?
In considering which providers to use, the Health Care Financing Administration of the US Government, or HCFA, recommend some of the following questions to consider when choosing providers:
- How long has the agency been serving the community?
- What services do they offer?
- Are their caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
- Do they provide nursing assessments?
- How do they train their staff, clients and the client's family?
- How involved do they keep the family?
- Who supervises the home health care plan?
- How do they maintain client confidentiality?
- What licenses do they have?
- Are their services delivered by caregivers who are employees of their own organization?
- How long has the home care company been established and what is its reputation?
- Does someone initially come out and assess your needs and, if care is needed, will they continue to assess your needs?
- Is someone available to contact 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions or concerns from you or your family?
How do I know that the home care company's personnel are qualified to provide care at home?
A thorough review of the professional licenses, qualifications, educational backgrounds and current experience should reflect the company's commitment to hiring appropriate personnel. Ask for references from other health care providers, such as hospitals and physicians, and clients.
Who pays for home care services?
Medicare, Medicaid and managed care/insurance plans cover many of the medical services provided in the home. Medicare, and in some states, Medicaid, will not pay for many personal care services, such as personal aides or companions, unless skilled nursing services or physical therapy are also provided. In some cases, the client or the family will pay for services themselves, especially in the areas of personal care and companionship, in order to help keep a loved one in the comfort of their own home.
What about education to help me with my home care treatment?
Your home care company and staff will have a physician-approved plan of care for you and provide initial and ongoing training for you and your family for each therapy or service received. Regular assessments will help determine the most effective use of services to maintain or improve your condition. Your home care company should have a 24-hour, on-call nurse or other professional available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your treatment.
What is Skilled Care?
You may have heard the term "home care" used to describe a variety of services, from medical care to meal and laundry service. Skilled care, however, is very specific, and usually prescribed by a physician. Skilled care clients sometimes require the services of a licensed health care professional such as a medical doctor, nurse, therapist or medical social worker. The services can be for either a short or long period of time. Perhaps most importantly, skilled care services are usually eligible for Medicare/Medicaid or other private insurance payment if certain requirements are met.
Who decides if I need skilled care?
Usually, your physician will decide if skilled care is right for you, or you can call EmeraldCare at (704) 867-1141 or (800) 427-1143. If so, the next step is to develop a "plan of care" that describes what the doctor indicates are your health needs and what services or treatments we can provide for you. This care plan is important to the quality of care we provide and to ensure that you and your family understand exactly what we plan to do for you and your role in getting better.
Who coordinates my care plan?
Generally, a home health nurse or physical therapist will coordinate your plan of care under the care and directions of your doctor. His or her job is to make sure you are informed and educated about your condition, in addition to providing services such as intravenous drug administration, medication management, wound care management or heart monitoring. Specialist, just like in the hospital, may provide very specific services. It is your unique plan of care that defines which of the specialists and other home care staff will be needed to provide you with the necessary treatment or services.
Am I eligible for Medicare?
Receiving health care at home is certainly more pleasant and comfortable than being in a hospital or a nursing home. It can even be a more cost effective alternative to institutionalization. If you are facing this situation, you may be eligible to receive some or all of your home care services under the Medicare program.
You are eligible to become a Medicare beneficiary if you meet any of the following conditions:
- You are 65 or older.
- You are under 65 but qualify as disabled.
- You have end stage renal disease.
Will my home health care services be covered by Medicare?
You will be eligible for home health care services under the Medicare program if you meet these conditions:
- You are homebound (that is, you cannot leave home with out the assistance of someone else or without the use of crutches, a cane, a walker, a wheelchair or special transportation).
- Your condition requires one of these three skilled services:
- Intermittent nursing care (care requiring the skills of an RN or LPN/LVN at least once every 60 days)
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- The above service or services are medically necessary and are ordered by your physician.
Are those the only home health care services covered by Medicare?
As long as the above conditions are met, many home health care services may be covered by Medicare, including:
- Skilled nursing
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Home health aides
- Medical social workers
Can one home health care agency provide all of these services?
The above services, and many more, are provided by EmeraldCare. Based on your physician's recommendations, we will develop a comprehensive plan for home care to meet your specific needs. And if you wish, we will coordinate all the details for you, including ordering necessary medical equipment and supplies.
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