How Can Home Health Benefit Me & My Family, And Can I afford It?
By: Amber Bagwell CP Home Care
Many health care treatments that were once offered only in a hospital or a doctor’ s office can now be done in your home. Medicare states that home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. In general, the goal of home health care is to provide treatment for an illness or injury and help you get better, regain your independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible.
One of the main concerns people have when exploring home health as an option to care for themselves or a loved one is the cost. As Medicare states, it is usually less expensive than a hospital or other skilled facility and there are programs that help cover the costs. Short-term home health care visits by a nurse, therapist, or certified home health aide- which typically follow a hospitalization, injury, or severe illness and are intended to help someone return to a stable condition- are usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the VA and private health insurance.
When researching your options, if your loved one is enrolled in Medicare( either original Part A and Part B or a Part C Medicare Advantage plan), Medicaid, or Department of Veterans Affairs( VA) medical benefits it’ s likely they cover the full cost-- meaning there are no patient co-payments-- for short-term, doctorprescribed home health care. This coverage lasts only until your medical condition has stabilized.
Private health insurance usually provides good coverage for short-term home health care, though your loved one may have to pay a patient co-payment.
It may happen that you would like to continue home health care after public or private insurance will no longer cover it. If so, you may have to pay out of pocket. But there are several options to consider other than simply continuing with the same home health care and paying for it all yourself.
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You may be able to get the care you need without having certified home health care. Instead, you may be able to use nonmedical in-home care provided by a home care agency, such as CP Home Care of Houston. And there may be benefit programs or insurance coverage for inhome care after coverage for home health care runs out. For example, Medicaid covers a limited amount of nonmedical in-home care in some circumstances and there are some long-term insurance policies that can help as well. So be sure to do your research and don’ t be afraid to ask questions!
A new study by UCLA researchers published in the February 2016 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Medical Care found that patients who were referred to home health care following hospital discharge experienced better health outcomes and incurred lower costs.
If your doctor decides you need home health care, you should choose an agency from the participating Medicare-certified home health agencies that serve your area. Home health agencies are certified to make sure they meet certain Federal health and safety requirements. While your doctor may recommend specific agencies, you should still do your research and choose the one that is most responsive, best fits your needs and addresses your concerns. Your choice should be honored by your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or other referring agency.
What many people like about home care is that it allows a patient to recover in the comfort and security of their own home. Patients receive individualized care designed to meet their specific needs. In many
cases, home care delays the need for families to place an elderly loved one in a senior living residence or a nursing care facility. Maintaining independence is another primary advantage that home health services offer.
It’ s natural to want to stay at home as you grow older. However, taking a step back to look at the big picture can help you decide whether staying at home for the long term truly is the right step for you.