Skilled Home Health Care Referral Services
Understanding Medicare Home Health Services and Benefits
Monitoring Patient in the Comfort of Home
Often time’s caregivers are unaware of skilled home health care services that may be covered by Medicare. If a patient is being followed by a physician the last 90 days and is experiencing a change in health condition, the Medicare participant may qualify for Medicare Home Health Care Services. Should an Accountable Home Care representative see indicators that may warrant a RN evaluation by a visiting RN, Accountable will immediately educate the family. Families and patients alike can be assured Accountable Home Care has a registered nurse available should there be a need for a nominal fee, however; based on the patient’s insurance, a registered nurse could be a covered service by the patient’s insurance. Any change in medical condition, if the patient is being followed by a medical doctor and the patient meets the Medicare guidelines may warrant covered home health care services. There is no copay or out of pocket expense for Medicare Home Health Services.
Appropriate Times When a Physician May Order Home Health Care Services
When to Expect A Doctor To Order Home Care Services
- Hospital Discharge – Upon discharge from a recent hospital stay. A health care setback occures and the discharging physician may order home health care services to monitor the patient after the resent health care setback.
- Doctor’s Office – After a physician’s office visit. If a patient has not been feeling well and the physician feels having an extra set of eyes monitoring a patient, he/she may order home health care services. Care is provided by a registered nurse (RN) and any and all findings by the nurse will be communicated directly back to the ordering physician.
- Leaving a Short Term Rehab Centers – Upon discharge from a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center
Services Offered By Medicare Home Health
Getting Help At Home To Age In Place
- Registerd Nurse – Skilled Care at Home for medication management, wound care, behavioral health, dietary supportive services/nutrition education and disease management. Requires a registered nurse to conduct the initial home visit. The same visiting nurse can follow the patient or an LPN can do additional home visits.
- Home Physical Therapy – Home Physical Therapy can be provided by a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapist Assistant. The Physical Therapist will conduct the first therapy visit and can continue therapy or a Physical Therapist Assistant can treat.
- Home Occupational Therapy – Home Occupational Therapy can be provided by a Occupational Therapist IF services are accompanied by EITHER skilled nursing visits OR physical therapy.
- Home Speech Therapy – Home Speech Therapy is often ordered when a patient is living with a swallowing disorder or may have experienced a recent stroke.
- Medical Social Worker (MSW) – A physician may order for an evaluation by a social worker when appropriate such as community supportive services or to educate family and patient of available options in order to maintain safe and compliant in a home setting.
- Home Health Aide (HHA/CNA) – When appropriate, a home health aide may be required to help bath a patient.
