Choosing a Home Health Care Service
Whether you need help recovering from an accident, surgery, or need long-term care for a chronic illness or disability, home health care is often a viable option that has been gaining popularity, for a reason. Studies have shown that recovering at home is better for the patient’s physical and mental health. Today’s home health services can provide everything from help with errands and housework, like cooking and cleaning, to specialized medical care from nurses and therapists. But with so many new home health agencies popping up, how do you know which one to choose?
Fortunately, if you follow these basic guidelines, you can have confidence in choosing your home health provider:
o Check the agency’s credentials.
Make sure the home health service you choose is licensed in your state, certified by Medicare, and accredited by a government agency such as The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation Program.
o Check the credentials of the caregivers.
In addition to looking for providers who are friendly and helpful, be sure to ask about professional training for caregivers. Are they linked and insured? Does the home health care service have a supervisor who oversees the quality of the service? Also, ask for references from the caregivers themselves and find out if the home health agency evaluates their employees.
o Clear up all billing issues.
The agency must be able to provide literature that clearly explains its fees and services. Make sure you know your copays, deductibles, and uncovered expenses in advance. Ask if they offer any kind of financial help to those who need it.
o Be clear about the services you are receiving.
Ask about getting a written plan that details the services you will receive so there is no confusion. Make sure you are aware of the specific services your home health provider will provide you, including housework or housework. Also, find out what hours the home health care provider has on-call help, in case of an emergency. A 24-hour hotline with someone on call is convenient and helpful.
Finally, after your home health plan is in place, monitor the services, making sure they are in line with what was actually discussed. By following these steps, you can be sure that your home health care service will be of benefit to everyone.
