for those patients who need intermittent skilled professional care 2-3 times per week for several weeks this is the type services you need. The visit time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the care required. The patient may receive daily or twice a day visits for wound care or medications such as insulin or intravenous antibiotics. The patient or family is taught to perform the care by the visiting nurse. A “Certified” Home Health Agency usually provides these services. A HHA is provided only if the patient is receiving professional services. the visiting nurse evaluates the patient’s custodial care needs in the home and then determines the number of HHA hours to be provided. Most insurance covers services provided by a certified agency. To be eligible for certified home care, patients must be homebound and require skilled care.
For patients who will need intermittent skilled care for an extended and indefinite period of time, who might otherwise require placement in a nursing home. The patient must require three kinds of services to quality for this program. The services may include Nursing, home health aide, medical supplies/equipment, Physical, occupational or Speech therapies, Audiology services, Social Work, Nutrition, personal care services and homemaker/housekeeper services. Medicaid and private pay generally cover long term care.
Hospice
For patients with a life prognosis of six months or less, who are no longer receiving curative treatment. Hospice supports the patient to conclude this life with a sense o dignity and self worth in a caring atmosphere. The patient must have a primary caregiver or legal guardian. Hospice is a home care or nursing home program that provides medical consultation, intermittent nursing, palliative care, HHA, counseling, medications and equipment. Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurance generally cover these services.
