Direct Health Care aims to provide the very best home health care and hospice services to each of our patients. Part of providing excellent care is making sure our clients are informed about our services and what we do. Below is a list of home health care FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
- What is home health care?
- Who qualifies for home health care?
- What are personal care services?
- Does Medicare pay for a housekeeper?
- What is hospice care?
- What background checks are done for DHC employees?
- Who pays for home health care?
- How do I receive personal assistance services if I am unable to afford them?
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care provides a staff of qualified health care to individuals requiring medic
al services in their home. This can include a variety of illnesses, patients who are rehabilitating following surgery or hospice care. Nurses and aides provide caring, compassionate medical services, and the supplies necessary, according to a physician’s medical treatment plan. Receiving care at home allows individuals with restricted mobility to stay in their own homes and maintain as much independence as possible, while receiving the medical care and support they require.
Who Qualifies for Home Health Care?
If you have Medicare you use of your home health care benefits if certain eligibility requirements are met. These include:
- You must be under the care of a physician and you must be receiving care in accordance with an established plan of care. This plan of care must also be reviewed regularly by your physician.
- You must need, and a doctor must certify that you need, one or more of the following:
- Continued occupational therapy
- Intermittent skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language pathology servicesYour home health care agency must be approved and certified by Medicare.
- You must qualify as home-bound, and have a doctor verify that you are home-bound. Guidelines that help define home-bound include:
- Leaving home takes a considerable, taxing effort.
- Leaving home is not recommended by your doctor as a result of your medical condition.
- Your medical condition prevents you from leaving your home without help (such as requiring a wheelchair or walker, needing specialized transportation or getting help from another person).
- You may leave home for short, infrequent non-medical reasons such as attending religious services. If you attend adult day care, you are still able to receive health care in your home according to 6 Section 1: Medicare Coverage of Home Health Care.
Eligibility is also based on the amount of services that you need.
If you meet the above eligibility requirements, Medicare pays for home health care covered by your plan for as long as you need these services. Your doctor must verify that you meet the eligibility requirements. In the event that you need more than part-time or intermittent health care services, you are not eligible for the home health care benefit.
To help with determining whether your are eligible or not, Medicare defined part-time/intermittent care as skilled nursing care that is needed for fewer than seven days a week or less than eight hours each day over a 21 (or less) day period. Exceptions are made in some special circumstances. Hour and day limits may be extended in exceptional instances in which your doctor is able to predict when your need for care will end.
For more information download this PDF: http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10969.pdf (requires Adobe Reader or similar software to view)
Direct Health Care provides comprehensive home health care options, including personal care services and hospice care.
What are Personal Care Services?
Personal care services are generally performed by non-licensed personnel. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Ambulation/transfer
- Bathing
- Cleaning and laundry
- Dressing
- Escort services
- Exercise
- Grooming
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders (in person or via telephone call)
- Shopping
- Respite care
Does Medicare pay for a Housekeeper?
No, Medicare does not pay for housekeeping services. Medicare only pays for skilled nursing services providing the patient is home-bound and requires a skilled service.
Direct Health Care offers personal assistance and housekeeping services via private pay or PHC.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is both a philosophy and a type of care. The National Hospice and Palliative Care states that “hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes…At the center of hospice and palliative care is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to help us do so.” As well as physical support, hospice care also provides mental, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families.
What Background Checks are Done for DHC Employees?
At Direct Health Care we believe that our patients deserve not only expert care, but also extreme confidence in our staff as they are brought into patient’s homes. DHC performs criminal background checks on all employees. Additionally, we check the employee misconduct registry for any allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation for all non-licensed employees. We verify all appropriate licenses/certifications and check references by calling at least two former employers. Prior to hiring anyone, we perform face-to-face interviews.
Who Pays for Home Health Care?
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance policies pay for home health care services. We will contact your insurance provider to verify acceptance. In addition to the stated insurances, we also accept private pay patients.
How do I Receive Personal Assistance Services if I am unable to Afford Them?
We can still help you! Contact us for more information on available assistance.
Direct Health Care offers comprehensive home health care services from checking your eligibility to providing end of life care. Our highly compassionate staff works to not only meet, but exceed, the needs and wishes of our patients.