Q: What is home health care?
A: Home health care is a service that permits patients to receive personalized health care, improving their quality of life in
the privacy and comfort of their homes.
Q: Why home health care?
A: Home health care is a cost-effective option for receiving health care services. Returning to one’s home and family can
quicken recovery and improve the quality of life for both patient and family or caregiver. If your doctor agrees, you can
rehab at home with home health care instead of going to a skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility.
Q: Who pays for home health care?
A: Most health insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs and Workers Compensation cover home health care, including Long
term Insurance and other Liability Insurance (such as Auto and Accident). In addition, Medicare and Medicaid pay for
home care services. Some insurance providers do not cover all home health services. Our staff will verify health coverage
for the patient.
Q: What criteria are required for Medicare to approve services?
A: The following criteria are used to meet Medicare requirements:
•The patient is a Medicare recipient.
•The patient must be homebound. This is defined by Medicare as “normal inability to leave the home and that leaving the
home requires considerable and taxing effort.”
•The skilled care (Nursing/PT/OT/ST) must be medically necessary as determined by the physician.
Q: What if I have a problem at night or on the weekend?
A: We have registered nurses on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q: Do I need a physician’s order for home health care?
A: Yes, all health care provided in the home occurs under direct order and supervision of the patient’s physician.
Q: What types of services can be provided at home?
A: Many medical conditions that previously required hospitalization can safely be treated in the home. Home care services
may include but are not limited to:
Skilled Nursing--
• Observation and assessment of condition
• Patient and family education of disease process
• Management and evaluation of patient care plan
• Medication education and management
• Dressing changes for wound care
• Home safety education to prevent fall/injuries
• Catheter care
• Injections
• IV therapy
• Ostomy care
• Pain management
• Diabetic care
• Nutritional support
Telehealth Monitoring
Therapies--
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
Medication Reminders
Assistance with Daily Living by the Home Health Aide:
• Bathing/dressing
• Transfer/ambulation
• Light meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
Q: What services can American Home Health & Hospice Care offer?
A: Our services include but are not limited to:
Skilled Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational
Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Respiratory Therapy,
Medical Social Workers, Special Care Services, Diabetic Management,
Infusion Therapy, Nutritional Counseling, Home Health Aides,
TELEHEALTH Monitoring System, Community Resources, Chaplain
Services, Comprehensive & Compassionate Hospice Care, and More.
Q: My doctor says I have to use a certain home care company- do I have a choice?
A: YES! As long as the company that you choose is a MEDICARE APPROVED company.
Q: I just had surgery, but I am not HOMEBOUND. Can I still use the services while recuperating?
A: YES! MEDICARE allows you to use home care services while you are “temporarily homebound.” (Homebound means it
takes significant effort to leave your home).
Q: Are phlebotomy services covered?
A: No. Blood draws for labs are not covered by Medicare as “stand alone” Services. They are covered only if any skilled
services such as nursing or PT/OT/ST are also being utilized by the client. Medicare does not cover Respiratory (RT) or
Dietary services at home.
Q: If the client is discharged from skilled services such as nursing or PT/OT/ST, does Medicare allow for other services (ex: Home Health Aide or Medical Social Worker) to continue?
A: No. They are covered only if any skilled services such as nursing or PT/OT/ST are also being utilized by the client.
Q: How do I find out more about home health care?
A: Please call American Home Health & Hospice Care to learn more about how you can benefit from
home health services, at 317-542-1655.
