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