What is home health care?

Home health care (or home care) is care provided to individuals and families in their place of residence for promoting, maintaining, or restoring health; or for minimizing the effects of disability and illness, including terminal illness.

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

Patients can benefit from home health care by alleviating the need for extended stays in a hospital or a nursing home. As hospital stays decrease, increasing numbers of patients need highly skilled services when they return home. With home health care, patients are able to stay at home, receiving safe and effective care in the comfort of their own homes.

Who will need home health care?

• Those needing short-term assistance after being discharged from the hospital, skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center.
• Those who are ill or infirm, needing assistance to promote, maintain and restore their health in the privacy of their home.
• Those who are chronically ill, terminally ill, or permanently disabled who wishes to remain at home instead of being institutionalized.
• Those who need short term relief for family members caring for a parent relative who is ill.

Do government programs cover the costs of home health care?

Yes. If you are eligible for home health care coverage through Medicare, our office will bill Medicare directly.

What if I do not have Medicare?

If you have private medical health insurance, we will verify your home health care eligibility directly from your insurance. Upon receipt of any assignment of benefits, we will bill your insurance directly. We will let you know if you have any deductibles or co-payments for the services before we start the care.

I don't have insurance nor Medicare, can I pay you direct?

Yes. If you are paying cash or check, we will provide you with a Proposed Home Care Services Statement that clearly identifies visits and hours spent by our home health care professionals. You pay only what is on your statement. We pay all taxes and insurance for our employees.

What requirements does Medicare have for home care services?

If you qualify for Medicare, Medicare pays for 100% of approved services furnished in your home if you meet certain requirements: you must be homebound to your home. These services can be provided in your home even if you have not been hospitalized.

How do I know if I am considered homebound?

To be considered homebound, patients must meet standard guidelines set by Medicare. A patient is considered homebound if they cannot leave the home and when they do it is a taxing effort; leaving the home is infrequent and for a short period of time; and leaving the home requires the aid of supportive device and/or assistance of another person. Leaving home for medical, therapy or religious appointments is deemed to be an absence of infrequent or short duration and is not in violation of homebound status.

What services will I get within the program?

Any services and visits that you receive will depend on the home health assessment given by our staff and your doctor. There will be a personalized plan of treatment that will be established to meet your needs. This personalized plan will help determine the different services you will be need and the duration of home visits.

When and how can I initiate the services?

Home health services are available 24/7. To initiate our services, your doctor needs to provide our company with a written order to perform a home health care assessment.

• We will verify and confirm your method of payment/insurance eligibility.
• Upon acceptance of the doctor's request we will look for the appropriate staff that can meet your needs. Within 24 to 48 hours (or on the start of care date ordered by your doctor) we will do the home health care assessment.
• Once we have confirmed appropriate staffing, the assigned staff will call you to arrange a convenient schedule for you.
• On the day of your home health assessment, the home health care professional will advise you if you are qualified for home health care. The assessment will be communicated to the doctor and to the company.

Does a patient have to be hospitalized before being entitled to home health care?

No. Patients don't have to be hospitalized to be entitled to home health care. Your physician can make a referral after a clinic visit or whenever he determines that there is a need for services.

Can I choose a home health care provider?

Yes, you have the freedom to choose. According to Federal law, home health care patients are free to choose which institution, agency or person will provide their home care services.

Section 1802 of the Social Security Act "seeks to ensure that free choice is guaranteed to all Medicare Patients." The law states: "Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this title [i.e., Medicare] may obtain health services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to participate under this title if such institution, agency, or person undertakes to provide him such services." This statement gives patients freedom to choose whom they want as their provider of home health care services.

Will my health information be disclosed to anyone?

Accucare Home Health Services and all each contractual providers are HIPPA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act) compliant. We safeguard personal and medical information by making them available only to staff members who are involved in direct care.

What is private duty care?

Private duty refers to non-medical in-home caregiver services. Services include assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, companionship, assisting with medications, walking and exercise, preparing food/assisting with meals, assisting Clients to doctor's appointments, social gatherings, beauty/barbershop & grocery shopping, and light house keeping.

Do government programs cover the cost of private duty care?

While Medicare does not cover private duty, non-medical in-home caregiver services, your long term care insurance may reimburse you for this service.

Who can I address my questions to?

You can call us toll free at (888) 963-8862 for your questions, concerns, issues or complaints. You can speak with the patient case manager assigned to your case. The Director of Nursing or the Administrator is also available to address any other questions or concerns.

What if I have a problem after hours?

Our office is open from Mondays through Fridays between 9 AM to 5 PM. We have an on-call nurse available to answer your calls after office hours and during weekends and holidays.