1. What is home health care?

Home health care is an excellent, cost-effective alternative to hospital or other institutional care. Service is based on the individual's need and may range from 24-hour-a-day care to monthly visits from skilled nurses, therapists, social workers and/or home health aides

2. Who uses home health care?

People of all ages use home health care services-from senior citizens to young children. Some examples include:

	those who are able to be discharged from a hospital or nursing home but need additional care
	those who are terminally ill and want to live their final days with dignity surrounded by their loved ones in the comfort of their own home
	those who have short-term health needs
	those who need assistance, due to age or disability, to remain at home
	those who need education about the disease process and training on how to best care for themselves.

3. What types of professionals comprise the home health care team?

The home health care team consists of physicians, nurses, home health aides, medical social workers and therapists who coordinate care based on an individual's needs.


4. Who pays for home health care services?

Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurances may cover the cost of home health care services. Some insurance policies will not cover all home health care services unless certain conditions are met. You can still obtain care without insurance coverage through a private duty agency on a private pay basis. Additionally, some agencies may have funding to help people who cannot afford the private pay option. The home health care agency will be able to assist in determining if the services you need are covered or if you need to make other arrangements.


5. How does service begin?

A physician, patient or family member can initiate service. However, Medicare, Medicaid and most insurances require physician involvement. Once the physician prescribes home health care, he/she authorizes a coordinated treatment plan, commonly called a "plan of care," and periodically reviews services and the patient's progress.

If a physician does not prescribe home health care, but the individual still desires services, a private duty agency can suggest a plan of care to meet a wide variety of needs and budgets.

6.  What are the most common misconceptions related to homecare?

Misconception:  “When discharged from the hospital, I have to use their homecare.”

--No, every consumer has the right to choose the agency they wish and should always be offered a choice in homecare providers.

Misconception:  “I must have a caregiver that can be taught to do my dressings, injections, etc in order to receive care.”

--No, people are entitled to receive skilled services from a trained professional if a caregiver is unwilling or unable to be taught.

 Misconception:  “I have to be hospitalized for at least three days to receive home care.”

--This is absolutely not true, any change in condition, a need for education with disease process, new medications, or self care may enable you to homecare benefits.

Misconception:  “I have used my 100 days of skilled care in nursing home, and I am not eligible for any other services.”

--There is no minimum or maximum number of days in a calendar year associated with homecare benefits.  The homecare benefit is separate and does not count towards the number of days used in institutions.

Misconception:  “I have been told I am only eligible for nursing/therapy under the Medicare benefit.”

--This is wrong.  Entire teams of healthcare professionals are available such as RN’s, LPN’s, PT’s, OT’s, MSW’s, Nutritionists, and HHA’s. We are a full service agency and have the whole realm of professionals on staff.

7.  How long should it take for someone to be in my home?

The industry average in the Cleveland area is approximately 5 days, however, based on our service standards, we will have an RN Case Manager visit your home to assess your needs within 48 hours.  Depending on the situation and availability we may be able to get a professional out the same day.

8.  What makes us different from agencies that only offer companion or unskilled care?

We are a Medicare certified agency.  We are held to the highest standard of care according to state and federal regulations.  We are surveyed regularly by Ohio Department of Health as well as other state agencies.  We voluntarily participate in Ohio Kepro which is our State Quality Improvement Organization.

Because we offer skilled services in addition, our patients have available to them, a multidisciplinary team including nurses, therapists, social workers, and nutritionists.

Our entire administrative staff is made up of Nurses and Therapists.  All agency decisions, whether patient related or business related, are made by clinicians.  Every patient regardless of payer source, is assigned an RN case manager to oversee, direct care, and visit on a regular basis.