Home Health Agency Information for Medicare Beneficiaries from eQHealth Solutions

CHOOSING A HOME HEALTH AGENCY

What is Home Health Care?

Home health care includes skilled nursing care, as well as other skilled care services like physical and occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical social services. The home health team provides, and helps to coordinate, the care and/or therapy that your doctor orders.

While you get home care, home health staff teach you (and those who help you) how to provide your care at home since most home health care is intermittent, and part-time patients need to learn to identify and care for possible problems. The goal of home health care is to help you get better, regain your independence, and become as self sufficient as possible.

How Do I Find a Medicare-Approved Home Health Agency?

You can find a Medicare-approved home health agency by:
    • Visiting "Compare Home Health Agencies in Your Area."
    • Asking your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or friends and family.
    • Using a senior referral service. Look in the Yellow Pages under “home        care” or “home health care.”

    What Questions Should I Ask the Home Health Agency?

Are you Medicare certified?
Do you offer the services I need (nursing, PT, OT, etc.)?
Can you meet my special needs (language or cultural preferences)?
Do you offer the personal care services I need (help bathing, dressing, using the bathroom)?
Do you offer the support services I need (like help with laundry, cooking, shopping, or housekeeping) or can you help me arrange for additional services?
Do you have staff available to provide the type, and hours of care my doctor ordered?
Do you have staff available at night and weekends for emergencies?
Can you please explain to me what Medicare or my insurance will cover and what I must pay?
Do you do background checks on your staff?
Do you have references who testify that your staff provides good care?

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Finder

Click here to access this new service developed by Medicare to allow beneficiaries to compare plans from different Medicare Part D plan companies.

Click here to read more about a
New CMS Initiative That Aims to Assist and Identify Individuals
Who are Caregivers for Medicare Beneficiaries*

eQHealth Solutions is committed to improving the quality of health care provided to Louisiana Medicare beneficiaries. We have a staff of qualified physicians and nurses who are ready to address any concerns you may have about quality of care you receive. We offer a Medicare Rights Hotline, and we review cases to determine what appropriate steps should be taken -
1-800-433-4958.

This Web site is produced by eQHealth Solutions (formerly Louisiana Health Care Review), the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Louisiana,
under contract 500-99-LA02 with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.
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