HOME HEALTH SERVICES
Frequently Asked Questions
We are here to help you. Listed below are frequently asked questions regarding Home Health Care. If you have a question that is not covered in our FAQ please Contact Us and a Traditions Health team member will be happy to assist you.
What is Home Health?
Home health is professional skilled care such as nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and medical social worker services provided in the comfort of your own home. The goal of home health is to help the patient regain the health and independence needed to remain safely at home. Education is provided to help patients and caregivers manage patient symptoms at home to prevent emergency department visits and rehospitalization.
Who is eligible to receive Home Health?
To receive home health services, you must be under the care of a physician, and you must be getting services under a plan of care created and reviewed regularly by a care provider. (or other care provider, like NP) Your plan of care will be determined by your home health care team in collaboration with your care provider, upon your admission to services. Your care provider must certify that you have a skilled need for care. You must be homebound, and your care provider must certify that you are homebound.
What does homebound mean?
For a patient to be eligible for Medicare coverage of home health, it is required that the patient is confined to their home. The patient is considered homebound if the two following criteria are met.
Criteria One:
The patient must:
● Because of an illness or injury, they need the aid of supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs and walkers; the use of special transportation; or the assistance of another person in order to leave their place of residence.
OR
● Have a condition such that leaving their home is not recommended by their physician. If the patient meets one of the Criteria One conditions, then the patient must also meet two additional requirements defined in Criteria Two below.
Criteria Two
● There must exist a normal inability to leave the home.
AND
● Leaving the home must require a considerable taxing effort. If the patient does leave the home, they may still be considered homebound if the absences are infrequent and of short duration. These requirements do not apply to:
● Attendance at a state licensed day care facility
● Attendance at religious services
● Absences for medical treatment
Criteria One:
The patient must:
● Because of an illness or injury, they need the aid of supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs and walkers; the use of special transportation; or the assistance of another person in order to leave their place of residence.
OR
● Have a condition such that leaving their home is not recommended by their physician. If the patient meets one of the Criteria One conditions, then the patient must also meet two additional requirements defined in Criteria Two below.
Criteria Two
● There must exist a normal inability to leave the home.
AND
● Leaving the home must require a considerable taxing effort. If the patient does leave the home, they may still be considered homebound if the absences are infrequent and of short duration. These requirements do not apply to:
● Attendance at a state licensed day care facility
● Attendance at religious services
● Absences for medical treatment
Do I have to have an order from my doctor?
Yes. To receive home health services, your physician must order the home health services. You must be under the care of a physician, and you must be receiving services under a plan of care created and reviewed regularly by a physician. Your physician must certify that you have a skilled need for care. You must be homebound, and your physician must certify that you are homebound.
What is the frequency of home health visits?
Upon admission to home health, you will be assessed by a Registered Nurse or a Physical Therapist, depending on your diagnosis. The assessing clinician will collaborate with you and your physician to determine which services will best meet your needs. The frequency of visits will depend on the number of services needed and the severity of your illness or injury. Visits are typically more frequent in the beginning and may decrease over time as you regain your health and independence.
Do you have to live in a private residence to receive home health services?
We provide home health services where the patient resides. Whether it is a private residence, assisted living facility or home of a family member, our clinical team will meet you where you are.
Who pays for home health?
Eligible home health services are covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage, VA, and most private insurance plans.
What if I have a problem at night or on the weekend?
Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Does home health provide all my equipment and supplies?
Home health provides certain medical supplies, such as wound care and catheters depending on the patient’s diagnosis and health care needs. We also help patients coordinate necessary equipment to be obtained through a durable medical equipment company.
How long can I remain on home health services?
Upon admission, your physician in collaboration with your admitting clinician will determine a 60-day plan of care. Toward the end of the 60 days, you will be reevaluated to determine if you need further home health services. If you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for home health services, you will be recertified for another 60 days. There is no specified limit to the amount of time you can receive home health services. You will continue to be recertified if you meet the eligibility requirements to receive the services and have a skilled need.
