Taking care of older loved ones is never easy in any respect. When loved ones need care, it can be difficult to place them in nursing homes, hospitals or hospice facilities. With home health care options, you can give your loved ones the care they need in the comfort of their homes, so that they’ll have access to all the medical necessities they require along with the things that make them comfortable. That said, home health care is expensive, and coverage options can make this option more feasible. If you have been considering home health care for your loved one, there are some things you should know. Read on to learn more about home health care options.
Medicare Reimbursement
What may come to a surprise to some is that Medicare does offer reimbursement for home health care. While Medicare will not pay for around-the-clock care at home, nor meal deliveries, there are plenty of other services that are covered. For instance, under part A, intermittent skilled nursing care is covered, as is physical therapy. Occupational therapy is also covered, along with speech-language pathology services. To be covered by at-home care, seniors must be under the care of a doctor who must certify that you need intermittent nursing care or therapy services. Additionally, the home health care agency must be certified by Medicare. Lastly, you must be considered homebound. For these services covered by Medicare, there will be no out of pocket charges, except for 20% of the Medicare approved amount for medical equipment.
Highlights:
- Covered under Medicare Part A
- Must be under care of doctor
- Therapy services also covered
Hospital Care
Few may realize that you don’t have to go to a hospital to get hospital care. A number of health care service providers can provide hospital level care in your home. Programs like Hospital at Home can provide hospital-level care in the comfort of seniors’ homes at an even lower cost than a hospital. Seniors with severe conditions like pneumonia, COPD, congestive heart failure other conditions will usually be eligible for this care. With home hospital care, an ambulance may actually drive seniors to their home in the event of an emergency. Nurses will be available on-call for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week should an urgent situation arise. Diagnostic imaging such as x-rays and other diagnostic techniques such as echocardiograms can all be performed at home. Patients will be cared for until official discharged just like at a hospital.
Highlights:
- For chronic illnesses
- 24/7 on-call nurses
- Diagnostic testing available in-home
Hospice
Hospice care can also be performed at home, and in fact Medicare encourages it. Hospice care is usually covered under Medicare at home, unless in-patient care is determined to be medically necessary. In most cases, your loved one can feel well cared for in the comfort of your home. However, hospice care will only be covered for two 90-day periods, and after that unlimited 60-day periods under Medicare. Hospice care providers should be licensed by the federal government or by the state, and will usually meet with families on a regular basis. With hospice care services in the home, you’ll have access to doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, hospice aids, volunteers and more.
Highlights:
- A number of human resources
- Unlimited 60 day periods of care
- Covered by Medicare
Conclusion
Home health care can often be the best way to give your loved ones the care they need. At home a team of health care professionals can help you in this difficult time in your life, providing seniors with extensive and uncompromised care.