When Is Home Health Care An Option?
Home health care is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Medicare program today. This is caused by an increased elderly population, the prevalence of chronic illnesses and increasing hospital costs. Medicare standards are followed even if the patient is not covered by Medicare. A patient must be under the care of a physician and must be homebound. The patient’s care needs must be documented and show a need for skilled nursing care and must be required part-time.
Description
It is difficult to know when home health care should be considered. Some helpful tips will help you decide when home health care should be an option.
Patient Has Difficulty Leaving Home
A patient must be homebound to receive home health care. A patient is considered homebound if he or she is unable to leave their home because of health related issues. A patient who is able to leave their home, but who has great difficulty doing so and only does so if necessary is also considered homebound.
Need For Skilled Care
A patient must have a need for skilled care from a nurse, physical/occupational therapist, speech pathologist or a social worker. A therapist may determine the patients need for home health care without getting a nurse involved. A home assessment may also be conducted to improve the safety of the home for the patient. This is necessary, but often overlooked.
Patient Needs Part-time Care
A patient who needs part-time care qualifies for home health care. The care must be provided on a part-time intermittent basis. A patient who needs full-time care should consider other options for getting the care that is needed.
Documented Need For Home Health Care
A patient’s health history should be documented to show the need for home health care. If documentation is not provided in detail, the patient may not qualify for home health care. An assessment is needed so the patient can be referred for home health care.
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- Is Hospice The Same As Home Health Care?
- How Do I Qualify For Home Health Care?
- How Long Can I Receive Home Health Care?
- What Is Home Health Care?
- What Are The Different Types Of Home Health Care Services?
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