Home Health Care 101: Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Home Health Care? Home health care, often referred to as “home health,” is skilled care provided at a patient’s home by licensed professionals like nurses, therapists, and aides. It’s aimed at treating or managing illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions. This care can be delivered in various residences, including private homes, adult foster homes, assisted living, or long-term nursing facilities.
Is Home Health Care the Same as Home Care? No, home health care differs significantly from home care. Home health care is administered by licensed medical professionals and covers a wide range of medical services, unlike home care.
What Does “Homebound” Mean? For Medicare coverage, a patient must be “homebound,” meaning their condition prevents safe travel without assistance. However, occasional trips for medical treatments or non-medical reasons like attending church are permitted.
Benefits of Home Health Care Home health care offers numerous benefits, especially for the elderly. It allows for treatment at home, avoiding hospital bills. It promotes faster recovery, independence, and better management of symptoms. Care is less expensive than hospitalization and involves family in the care plan.
Pros and Cons of Home Health Care Pros include care delivery at home, skilled medical services, adherence to physician-prescribed plans, and cost-effectiveness. Cons might include the exclusion of non-medical services like cooking, strict eligibility criteria, potential inadequacy for 24-hour monitoring needs, and possible high costs without insurance.
How Does Home Health Care Work? It begins with a physician’s order, followed by an initial consultation to assess needs and develop a treatment plan. The frequency and type of visits depend on the patient’s requirements.
What Does Home Health Care Do for Patients? It helps patients rest, recover, and receive treatment at home, aiding in regaining independence and managing diseases or conditions. It’s beneficial for both acute and chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s, COPD, diabetes, and heart disease.
Services Provided and Not Provided by Home Health Care Home health care includes skilled services like infusion therapy, nursing care, and various therapies. It does not cover unskilled services such as cooking, cleaning, or transportation.
Medical House Calls and Home Care Nursing Medical house calls are visits by physicians at the patient’s residence, ideal for homebound adults. Home care nursing involves licensed nurses providing medical services following a physician’s care plan.
Home Health Aide vs. Personal Care Aide Home health aides offer assistance under a physician-prescribed plan, while personal care aides focus on non-medical services like dressing and bathing.
Getting Home Health Care To access home health care, start with a doctor’s evaluation and a care plan. Ensure eligibility requirements are met, including being under a physician’s care, being homebound, and needing intermittent skilled services.
Paying for Home Health Care Payment options include self-pay, public and private third-party pay. Medicare covers home health care under specific conditions, including being homebound and requiring part-time skilled care.
Medicare Coverage for Home Health Care Medicare covers home health care if the patient is homebound, requires skilled care, and is under a doctor’s care with a prescribed home health plan. It covers skilled nursing care and rehabilitative services but not non-skilled personal care services.
This comprehensive guide addresses key aspects of home health care, providing essential information for those considering or needing home health services.
