Home Health Care Is Covered By Medicare And Some Private Insurance Plans

Home health care is medical care delivered in your home by trained, skilled healthcare professionals. This care is designed to help you heal and recover from an illness or injury. It can also teach you to manage your condition at home so that you can continue living independently. Home health services are usually less expensive and more convenient than care in a hospital or nursing home. In fact, Medicare says that home health care is "usually more effective, more convenient and just as safe as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility."

You're considered homebound when you cannot leave your home without assistance from others or assistive devices such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. In most cases, your doctor will determine that you are homebound based on your symptoms and health status. Once this determination is made, your doctor will write a plan of care that includes the services and equipment you will need to receive home health care. This information is then submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement.

When you choose a Northeast Ohio Home Health Care agency, ask about the agency's employee screening process. A good vetting process includes talking with references from previous employers and performing a background check to see if the person has any criminal records. The agency should also provide new employees with an orientation that covers emergency procedures (like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver) and ongoing education opportunities so that they can build on their healthcare skills.

In addition to nurses and physical therapists, a variety of other home health professionals can help you with your needs. These include dietitians, social workers, and aides who can help you with daily activities like bathing and dressing. Other specialists can provide speech therapy, occupational therapy and respiratory therapy. Some specialized equipment is available for use at home, such as portable X-ray machines and oxygen equipment.

Most people who need home health care are discharged from a hospital after an illness or surgery, but they haven't fully recovered. Often, the discharge documents from the hospital will note that you need home health care and will list a Medicare-certified home health agency. You can also find agencies by contacting your local Department of Health.

The goal of home health care is to help patients manage their condition at home so that they can avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions. Many agencies participate in quality improvement initiatives to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions, and they work closely with hospitals to identify patients who may benefit from home health care.

Typically, home health care is covered by Medicare and some private insurance plans. If you're unsure whether your home health care is eligible, review your policy details or contact your insurance provider to discuss your options. In some states, Medicaid is the primary source of funding for home health care. The Veterans Administration also offers programs that can subsidize home health care costs for those who qualify. To qualify, you must meet certain criteria outlined by your physician and the Veterans Affairs.