For many patients, home health care is a blessing. It enables them to receive care in the comfort of their own home for the amount of time they need.
Depending on the individual patient, home health care services can be covered by insurance, including Medicare, based on need. Here’s how to find out if you or a loved one qualify for home health care services and how to get a referral from your doctor.
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care is a health care service provided in the comfort of a person’s home. It is designed to support and enhance the quality of life for an individual who may need assistance with various activities, medical care or companionship.
It can include:
- Medical care (nurses and therapists) who assist with medication management, wound care and monitoring of chronic conditions.
- Personal care to assist with daily living (dressing, grooming and mobility support).
- Therapy services (including physical, occupational or speech therapy).
- Companionship to offer emotional support.
Home health care can be short-term, such as after surgery or illness, or long-term, providing ongoing support for those with chronic conditions.
Do I Qualify for Home Health Care Services?
A physician, often the individual’s primary care doctor, must recommend home health care services. The recommendation is based on the patient’s medical condition and the necessity for skilled medical care or assistance with activities of daily living. The services provided must be deemed medically necessary to qualify.
Medicare and many other insurance plans require that individuals be “homebound” to qualify for home health care. Homebound status means that leaving the home is a considerable effort and may require the assistance of others. According to Medicare.gov, “A doctor or other health care provider (like a nurse practitioner) must have a face-to-face visit with you before certifying that you need home health services.”
If you need home health care services and have Medicare, it will not cover:
- 24-hour-a-day care at your home
- Meal delivery
- Homemaker services unrelated to your care plan
- Personal care for daily living if it is the only care you need
You can read more about Medicare coverage for home health care services here.
Getting Started
Ready to set up home health care for yourself or a loved one?
- First, speak with your primary care provider to see if you qualify for care.
- Next, discuss the details with your insurance provider. There may be certain services or supplies that are not included in your coverage.
- Finally, research home health care providers to ensure you or your loved one will be receiving high-quality care from a respected agency.
Home Health Care Services at ACV Health
It’s important to feel comfortable with anyone who enters your home. Our home health aides at ACV Health are skilled, caring and equipped with training to help them provide the best possible care with activities of daily living. Our aides are also equipped to assist with more specialized care, including transferring support, in-home therapy, post-surgical rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, prosthetic training, physical, occupational and speech therapy and more.
For information regarding your insurance coverage, please call our office to discuss applicable copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. We accept most insurance plans and are happy to provide details on which insurance plans consider our services to be in-network as a courtesy. For more information, call 386-658-5460. If you do not have insurance or have maxed out your benefits, call us to discuss a private payment plan.
