| modern medicine, caring for someone medically in the | | | | for a provider. To become “bonded”, the provider |
| home was quite common, and hospitalization was rare. | | | | must pay a set amount. The bond protects the |
| Today, with a growing trend toward reduced hospital | | | | provider from bankruptcy in the event of a lawsuit by |
| stays, home care is gaining popularity. | | | | a consumer. |
| While caregivers of the past were generally family | | | | Certification — State certification by state health |
| members or friends, home health care today is based | | | | departments makes a home health or hospice care |
| more on a professional health care team working | | | | provider eligible for Medicare (and sometimes |
| toward a common goal. | | | | Medicaid) payments. To become certified, a provider |
| Today home health care may be considered for | | | | must meet basic federal and state standards in patient |
| patients who are recovering from an illness, undergoing | | | | care and financial management. Certified health care |
| treatment, disabled, chronically ill, or terminally ill. | | | | professionals are certified by their respective national |
| Home health care is not an option for everyone. | | | | organizations. The certification usually requires passing |
| Generally, the patient receiving care or treatment must | | | | a national test and/or work experience. |
| be well enough to be cared for in the home setting. | | | | Accreditation — Nationally recognized |
| Who provides the best home health care services? | | | | accrediting organizations evaluate and accredit quality |
| Various agencies and other companies provide home | | | | health care services. A provider must voluntarily seek |
| health care including home health agencies, | | | | out this accreditation. Some organizations that accredit |
| homemaker and home care aide agencies, | | | | home heath care include the Accreditation Commission |
| pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies, | | | | for Home Care, Inc., the Community Health and |
| durable medical equipment and supply dealers, and | | | | Accreditation Program, the Joint Commission on |
| staffing registries and private duty agencies. | | | | Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the National |
| So, how do you choose a home care provider? | | | | Committee for Quality Assurance, and The National |
| Locating an appropriate home health care provider | | | | Home Caring Council. |
| requires some research. You will need to consult with | | | | When choosing a provider, you should consider asking |
| your physician to evaluate your home care needs. | | | | the following questions: |
| When looking for a provider, consider the quality of | | | | * How many years has the provider been serving the |
| care, the availability of services, personnel training and | | | | community? |
| expertise, and payer coverage. | | | | * Does the provider have literature describing it |
| When evaluating the quality of a provider, you may | | | | services, costs, and funding? |
| encounter the following terms: | | | | * Is an evaluation of the patient’s home health |
| Licensure — Some states require providers to | | | | care needs required? Is there a written plan of care |
| have licenses to operate. Basic legal and operating | | | | for the patient? |
| requirements mandated by the state must be met to | | | | * When are caregivers available? |
| obtain a license. | | | | * Is there a nursing supervisor on call 24-hours a day? |
| Bonding — A bond is a type of insurance policy | | | | * Can the provider ensure patient confidentiality? |