Here are some of the questions that our team frequently gets….
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- Who orders Home Health Care? Home Health has to be ordered by a patient’s primary care physician. That physician agrees to write the order and follow the patient during the duration of time they are receiving home health care.
- Who qualifies for Home Health Care? Any patient who a physician has declared as “homebound”. This means the patient would need the help of another person or of medical equipment (crutches, a walker or wheelchair) to leave your home. Or, if your physician believes that leaving your home would worsen an illness or injury.
- What does Home Health Include? Home Health includes nursing, nurses’ aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.
- Who pays for Home Health? Home Health is covered by both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. If you or a loved one have been recently discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility and were covered by Medicare Part A, then Medicare Part A will cover Home Health Care as long as the home health starts within 14 days of discharge. All other patients would be covered by Medicare Part B.
- What if I have a Medicare Replacement Plan? Home Health is covered by most Medicare Replacement plans. Each policy needs to be verified for acceptance, and there may be certain deductibles or co-insurance costs associated with Home Health Care coverage.