Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies
Quality of care can differ among home health agencies. To make the best decision, talk to your family, healthcare provider, or discharge planner. Call agencies and ask questions about their services. Some services may not be covered by Medicare. Ask whether the agency:
- offers the specific healthcare services you need, such as nursing or therapy
- has staff available to provide the hours of care your doctor ordered, and can start when you need them
- meets your special needs, such as language or cultural preferences
- offers the personal care services you need, such as bathing and dressing
- offers the support services you need, such as help with laundry, cooking, or shopping
- can help you arrange for additional services, such as Meals on Wheels
- has staff available at night and on weekends for emergencies
- is Medicare-certified
- will explain what your insurance covers, and what you must pay out-of-pocket
- does staff background checks
- has letters from satisfied patients, family members, and doctors
Quality of care in health care means doing the right thing, for the right persons, at the right time, for the right reasons and always working for the best possible outcomes.
When making a decision about a home health agency remember that:
- Medicare covers home health care that is ordered by a doctor and provided by skilled health care professionals.
- Skilled home care may be needed when you have a condition which requires skilled nursing care, or physical or speech-language therapy, or continue to need occupational therapy on a part-time, intermittent basis, such as care of a wound, rehabilitation from a surgery or stroke or disabling event.
- Home health strives to help you get better, and become as self-sufficient as possible while remaining at home.
- Since most home health care is temporary and only part-time, in addition to providing care directly, home health staff will also teach you (and those that help you) how to continue any care you may need, including medication, wound care, therapy and managing stress.
Consumers are encouraged to use home health data information on www.medicare.gov (Home Health Compare is one way to learn about home health). Additional information is available on the Web site or by phone at 1-800-633-4227, includes brochures and fact sheets on how to choose a home health agency, information on patient's rights, and a checklist that will help consumers know the questions to ask about home health agencies.
Call 1-800-633-4227 to order a copy of Medicare and Home Health Care in English or Spanish, or download it from the Medicare Web site.
In addition to www.medicare.gov, here are some other useful home health care resources:
- Compare Home Health Agencies. Explains how to find home health care that's right for you.
- New York State Association of Homes and Services for Aging "Consumer Guide". Order this by e-mail, consumerguide@nyahsa.org or visit the Web site at www.nyahsa.org
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) "Providing for Parents at Home." Visit www.aarp.org or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)
- National Association for Home Care. Information on home care needs. Visit www.nahc.org
- Eldercare Locator (Area Agency on Aging). Visit www.eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116.