Who provides home health care services?
In many states across the country, home health care services are most commonly provided by home care organizations, registries, and independent providers. To receive home health services, you must first talk to a physician. If the physician determines that you can benefit from home health care services, he will write a referral, which you can then take to a specific company to begin the services. While home health companies are privately owned companies, many of their services are covered by Medicare home health benefits.
What type of healthcare providers work for home health agencies, and what are the qualifications?
If you receive home health care, you’ll likely have many providers invested in your care. Primarily, you’ll receive care from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, trained and certified home health aids, occupational therapists, physical therapists, medical social workers, and speech pathologists.
The qualifications needed to work for home health agencies depend on the service being provided by the individual. For example, Utah home health aides must complete clinical training before receiving a home health aide certification. Registered nurses working for home health companies must obtain a nursing degree and required certification. Other healthcare professionals need similar qualifications to provide home healthcare services as they would in a hospital or office environment.
What should I consider when selecting a home health care agency?
If you are in the beginning stages of looking around for a home healthcare agency, you’ve likely noticed that you have several options. Knowing what to look for can be overwhelming, especially if many companies can provide the same services. When selecting a home health care agency, there are many things you should consider, including:
Licensing and accreditation
In order to operate as a home healthcare company, businesses must have the appropriate licensing and accreditation for their state. When searching for home health agencies, ask them for their specific licensing and accreditation information. Health agencies should be accredited by one of three agencies: The Joint Commission, the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
Reputation and experience
One of the best ways to choose a home health company is to ask friends and family who they prefer to use. While interviewing companies, ask them how long they have been in business and if they have any referrals you could speak to.
Read their reviews in Google Business
Reading online reviews is an easy way to learn about a business and how real customers feel about their services. With online reviews, you can read the good, the bad, and everything in between. Check Google, Yelp, and social media reviews–you’ll likely get a good picture of how the company handles its business. Choose someone with glowing reviews, like Active Home Health and Hospice.
Read through our reviews to learn more about our company.
Range of services
Does a particular home health company offer the services that you need? Many home health companies will list their services on their website, or you can call to ask if they provide a particular service. The more comprehensive the range of services, the more likely they will be able to accommodate your needs.
At Active Home Health and Hospice, we provide our patients with a full range of services, including medication management, skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, pain management, and more.
Caregiver qualifications
Another important element to consider when choosing a home health company is asking about specific caregiver qualifications. Do their workers have the appropriate licensing and certification to provide home health services? Many companies are upfront and proud to provide this information to potential customers.
Care plan development
Home health agencies work with a physician to develop a detailed care plan that specifies what services are needed, what professionals will be providing the services, how often the patient needs the services, a detailed list of the necessary medical equipment, and what results are expected. Ensure that the home health company offers a clear and detailed home health plan.
Clear communication and follow-through
Clear, effective communication is critical in home healthcare because it improves the client experience while ensuring healthcare quality. While searching for home health companies, look for those who effectively communicate with you during the research process and are committed to maintaining clear communication and following through while providing service. At Active Home Health and Hospice, we remain committed to providing clear and constant communication before, during, and after our services.
Insurance and billing
Does a particular home health company cover your insurance? Make sure to ask and provide insurance cards to ensure all treatments will be covered. Be sure to know before participating what copays there will be or any additional charges. How does a particular home health company handle its insurance and billing? Is it an easy-to-understand process, or do they leave many details up to you to figure out? Look for a home healthcare company that is upfront about their insurance and billing process while making it easy to understand.
In Your Search for a Home Health Company, Consider Active
While searching for home healthcare can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. We created our company to improve the standard of patient care in the home while actively looking for new ways to improve our patient’s quality of life. Are you wondering what qualifies you for home health care and how you can get started with home health care? Contact us today to learn more about our company and how we can help you.
