How to Choose a Homecare Provider
Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies
The term home health agency often indicates that a homecare provider is Medicare certified. A Medicare-certified agency has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and management and therefore can provide home health services that are paid for by Medicare from a home health agency. Due to regulatory requirements, services provided by these agencies are very specific and must meet all the Medicare rules.
Hospice
Hospice care involves a core interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals and volunteers who provide comprehensive medical, psychological, and spiritual care for the terminally ill and support for patients' families. Hospice care also includes the provision of related medications, medical supplies, and equipment. It is based primarily in the home, enabling families to remain together. Trained hospice professionals are available 24 hours a day to assist the family in caring for the patient, ensure that the patient's wishes are honored, and keep the patient comfortable and free from pain. Hospices are Medicare-certified and licensed according to state requirements.
Personal Care
These agencies mostly provide non-medical services such as companions, homemakers and just about anything else people need to help them remain in their home. Pennsylvania does not require these agencies to be licensed or meet regulatory requirements. Some agencies assign nurses to assess their clients' needs to ensure that personnel are properly assigned and provide ongoing supervision. Also, some agencies have homecare aides who are contractors, not employees. No matter what the business model is for a homecare agency, consumers should understand the process and feel free to ask questions to better understand the agency's management and policies.
Choose Your Agency Carefully
There are plenty of people ready and willing to help you or a loved one receive care at home. Their recommendations are helpful in making your selection, but careful consideration should be given before making your final selection. The following are a list of questions you can print off and use to help select the homecare provider that best suits your needs.
- How does the agency keep the family updated on the consumer's progress?
- Does the agency have a supervisor on call and available 24 hours per day?
- What is the agency's backup system?
- Will the agency provide a list of references?
- What is the agency's fee for a nurse or homecare aide?
- What happens when the nurse or homecare aide calls off?
- Does the agency have any type of accreditation?
- How many years has the agency been in business?
- Is there a written plan of care and do the doctor, patient and
family participate in its developing? - What are the payment procedures? Does the provider
furnish written statements explaining all costs? - Will the homecare aide or nurse always be the same person?
- Are agency caregivers available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week?
- Does the agency require criminal record background checks and
communicable disease screens for its staff members? - What is the agency's procedures for resolving conflicts should
they arise between homecare staff and family?