About Home Health Care
WHAT IS HOME HEALTH? Home Health services includes Nursing, Physical Therapy and Home Health Aides that come into your home when you have a difficult time going out to receive these same services.
HOW DOES HOME HEALTH BENEFIT THE PATIENT? Home Health can benefit a patient who has had a recent hospitalization, surgery or newly diagnosed medical condition, (i.e. Diabetes, Cardiac Disease, stroke and difficulty breathing). Home Health services are provided in the home until the patient is strong enough to continue in an outpatient setting again. Many patients also find Home Health extremely useful to gain education on an illness or disease in a relaxing home setting. Home Health will also teach caregivers how to care for their loved one. Home Health follows your Doctor’s orders therefore increasing stronger communication between the patient and the Doctor. Several studies have shown that bringing in Home Health services may allow someone to remain home longer, reduce hospitalizations and improve the quality of life for the patient.
WHO PAYS FOR HOMEHEALTH? Home Health is almost always covered by Medicare and/or Insurance. It is also available if you wish to pay for services yourself. With Medicare coverage, Home Health is paid 100% under Medicare part A; with Health Insurance coverage, payments vary. Some Insurance companies pay 100%, others may have the patient pay a co-pay with every visit the patient receives. It is important when signing up for Health insurance to find out if the company will cover Home Health and under what terms.
HOW DO I GET HOME HEALTH? To receive Home Health services ask your Doctor or if you are in a hospital or rehab center ask the discharge planner to set up Home Health. You may also contact a Home Health agency to let them know you wish to receive services, Some agencies even provide a social worker to help an individual with programs such as medication affordability, Assisted living placement and other community support.
ARE THERE SPECIALITY PROGRAMS? Some agencies will have specialty programs such as Diabetic Maintenance, Cardiac, COPD, Alzheimer’s support, fall prevention, wound care, post surgery including hip and knee procedures.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON HOME HEALTH? For more information on Home Health and related services, please call: Tamara Rowland of Hometown Homecare (863) 287-7969 or (863) 401-3550.
