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How to Use Home Health Care Agencies

by Lynn Yoffee

Overview

Home health care services can include both social and medical services for people who are disabled, recovering from a hospital stay, terminally or chronically ill or anyone in need of medical care or help with daily living at home. People who work at home health care agencies deliver this type of service. Medicare certifies these agencies because so many people who use home health care services are elderly. The kinds of services offered by agencies varies widely from nursing to physical therapy. Using a home health care agency starts with determining exactly what type of services you need.
Services

Step 1

Determine what type of home health service(s) you need. If you have a medical condition that requires a specific treatment, your doctor will typically produce physician's orders or a prescription for services such as respiratory or occupational therapy. Getting support services doe not require a doctor's orders. Even if you don't need skilled medical services, home health care can include aides to assist with bathing, toileting, eating and dressing. Others do light household chores while you're unable. Companions are ordered if a person cannot be left alone for safety reasons.
Step 2

Find a home health care agency that fits your particular needs with a bit of research. Your doctor or hospital can often put you in touch with a choice of reputable agencies. If you are on Medicare, make sure that the home health agency you choose is Medicare-certified or you might have to pay for the services out of pocket. You can find a home health care agency by using a locator service called ElderCarelink (http://www.eldercarelink.com/).
Step 3

Engage a social worker to coordinate your home health care services. This person will evaluate your needs and act as a case manager, especially with complex needs that require team coordination.
Step 4

Understand how to pay for home health care agency services. If you don't follow the rules set by Medicare, Medicaid or your private insurance company, you are required to pay for the services out of pocket. If these insurers won't pay for the services, you can seek to have them paid though the Area Agency on Aging, which provides federal money for programs that help disabled and frail older people to remain independent in their communities. If you are a veteran who is at least 50% disabled due to a condition related to your service, the Veterans Administration provides some home health care. Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services provides skilled nursing care and some other home care services for dependents of active military people, retirees and their survivors or dependents. Finally, you may seek financing for home health services through your local health department or office on aging because these agencies receive federal grants for such purposes. Your social worker, a hospital discharge planner or even the United Way can help you to obtain information about how to pay for home health care services.