- What is home health care?
- What is a home health agency?
- What is a “needs assessment”?
- What is a Medicare certified home health agency?
- Will Medicare pay for my home health care needs?
- How does home care differ from home health care?
- Why choose home health care?
- Can I choose the home health care provider I would like to use?
- How do I arrange for home health care services?
- In what areas of Louisiana are STAT Home Health services available?
- What if I have a problem during the night or on a weekend?
What is home health care?
Home health care refers to any type of medical care that is provided to the patient in their home. Home health care usually includes assisting persons who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery; those who are disabled or chronically ill; persons diagnosed with a terminal illness who wish to continue curative treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy or radiation; and those who require therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living (ADLs).
What is a home health agency?
A home health agency (HHA) is an organization that provides services, including skilled nursing care and home care aide services, as well as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and medical social services. If you use a home health agency, the agency will hire and supervise the clinical staff that comes into your home. The agency assumes full liability for all care and is responsible for all employee taxes and benefits.
What is a “needs assessment”?
If home health care is deemed necessary by a physician, your home health agency will conduct a “needs assessment”, a detailed evaluation of your situation that confirms the need for services ordered and identifies any other beneficial services. The assessment is usually made by a registered nurse and helps the agency tailor a care plan to meet your needs. After reviewing it with you and before finalizing the plan, the agency advises your physician of its assessment and presents the plan for his/her approval. The plan outlines details, including treatment goals, the specific services and level of care that will be provided, and any medical equipment and supplies that may be required.
What is a Medicare certified home health agency?
A Medicare certified home health agency has met federal requirements for patient care management, called Conditions of Participation, set forth in federal regulations. These agencies can therefore provide home health services that are eligible for reimbursement by Medicare.
Will Medicare pay for my home health care needs?
Home health care is covered under the Part A Medicare benefit. Medicare will help pay for your home health care if: 1) You are homebound; 2) You need skilled nursing or skilled therapy services on an intermittent basis (less than seven days a week), or skilled therapy on a part-time basis (less than eight hours a day); 3) Your physician certifies your need for care; and 4) You receive care from a Medicare certified home health agency.
How does home care differ from home health care?
While home care can be used to describe both medical and non-medical care, typically home care refers to non-medical care such as companionship/homemaking services or personal care services, while home health care refers to the provision of skilled nursing care and other care such as speech, physical or occupational therapy.
Why choose home health care?
Home health care is delivered in the home and permits the patient to live independently in the privacy and comfort of their own home. Home health care is particularly important in times of illness or recuperation, when families desire to be near one another for support and can provide an alternative to premature admission to a long-term care facility. Since most people would prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible, home health care can provide a level of service that is customizable to the client’s needs. Because care is provided in the home, many risks, such as infection, are eliminated or minimized, thus promoting quicker and safer healing. Patients at home can remain active in their customary daily routines while receiving one-on-one care and attention, monitored by their own physician. Home care is less expensive than other forms of care and is the preferred form of care. National studies have shown that 95 percent of consumers age 75 and older prefer to stay in their home for as long as possible.
Can I choose the home health care provider I would like to use?
Patients have the right to choose the provider they desire according to each individual’s Bill of Rights.
How do I arrange for home health care services?
Home health care services are usually recommended by your physician or by a social worker or discharge planner at the hospital if you are being discharged from a hospital stay. These individuals will generally initiate your referral to a recommended agency, however, the patient has the right to request an agency of their choosing. You may contact a home health agency at any time and ask for assistance in starting services. To request initiation of home health care services with STAT Home Health, contact the office in your area.
In what areas of Louisiana are STAT Home Health services available?
STAT Home Health serves a 50-mile radius surrounding each of our provider number offices which are located in Alexandria, Krotz Springs, LaPlace and Sibley. In order to insure maximum reach into our service areas, we also operate satellite offices throughout the state within these areas as well. For a complete listing of our offices, visit our Locations page.
What if I have a problem during the night or on a weekend?
STAT Home Health provides on-call clinical staff 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.