Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I pay for home health care under the Medicare benefit?
A: You pay $0 for all covered home health visits

Q: What can I be billed for?
A: If any items or services you are to receive are not covered by Medicare, the Home Health Agency is required to inform the patient before the start of services both verbally and in writing. (Ex: Prescription drugs, 20% coinsurance for Medicare covered medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen equipment.)

Q: What part of Medicare pays for this benefit?
A: Part A Benefit

Q: What if I only have Medicare Part B?
A: If you only have part B then these services will be covered under Part B

Q: How long can I get home health services?
A: Medicare pays for your home health services for as long as you are eligible and your doctor says you need these services. (There are limits on the number of hours per day and days per week that you can get skilled nursing or home health aide services)

Q: Will using my home health care benefits affect my coverage under Medicare?
A: No!

Q: Is this a one-time benefit?
A: No! If you receive home care benefits at any point in time, using those benefits does not affect future coverage. At any time that you once again need home health care and you meet criteria, you are entitled to receive home care at that future time!

Q: Do I get to pick my own home care agency?
A: All patients have the right to what is called “patient’s choice”. If you know an agency in your service area, and you want to select that agency, you should inform your physician of your choice. If you are in the hospital, you should inform the Discharge Planner of your choice. Your choice should be honored by your doctor, hospital discharge planner or other referring agencies.

Q: If I feel that my mother could benefit from home health care, do I have to ask her doctor to refer her, or can I do that?
A: Anyone may refer a patient directly to the agency of their choice, including self-referrals. The agency will have to speak with the patient’s physician’s regarding orders, but the patient or family member need not wait for someone else to request home care. (Please refer back to patient criteria to determine potential eligibility for this benefit.)

Q: Who regulates home care agencies?
A: In order to provide home health care under the Medicare benefit, the Home Health Care Agency must be certified and as such its home care program is overseen by State regulatory bodies.

Q: My aunt has been in the hospital for a sore on her leg. The hospital wants to send her to a nursing home for wound care.  Is this her only option?

A: In some cases this may be a good idea, but for others it is not.  If your aunt has a good support system in place and her home is a safe place for her to be, she should be able to come home from the hospital and have home health nurses perform her wound care.  Our offices have highly qualified wound care nurses who could provide all the care needed and of course, our Anodyne Therapy could also be provided at that time!

Q: My mother could benefit from home health care, but I keep hearing that she has to be homebound.  Does that mean she can never leave the house?

A: No!  Homebound means that the patient is normally unable to leave the home or leaving would take a considerable and taxing effort.  A patient may leave home for medical treatment or for short, infrequent absence for non-medical reasons such as a trip to the barber/beauty shop, church services, etc.  If you are still confused about what homebound means, feel free to call the office closest to you for assistance.

Q: My mother has to have blood drawn every week.  Is this something health care can do?

A: If this is the only task the nurse would perform, the answer is no.  The patient would have to have other skilled needs such as wound care or physical therapy.  IN those cases, the nurse would also be able to draw the blood for lab work.  Also, the patient's doctor must order the home health care nurse to perform this task.

Q: How can I find out if a family member qualifies for home health?

A: Call us! Our highly qualified Registered Nurses will perform a physical evaluation free of charge.  If they find that your family member qualifies and needs home health, they will contact your doctor to get orders to see the patient in the home.  Call us today to schedule your free in-home physical evaluation!

Q: Who can refer patients for Medicare services?

A: Anyone!  If individuals believe they meet the criteria for home care, they can contact the agency of their choice regarding an assessment to determine is they qualify for services. Family members, friends and acquaintances can refer others to the Agency.

It is a patient's right under the Medicare program to choose the Agency of their choice.  If for any reason, the patient is not satisfied with the services they are receiving from an Agency, they can request a change of provider as well.