If you or a loved one has had a recent hospitalization for a surgery or recovering from an illness, you probably have heard about home health care. National Home Healthcare can shorten hospital stays and keep patients from returning to the hospital. We provide highly trained skilled nurses and rehabilitation therapists for treatment in the comfort of home. We work closely with primary care physicians to coordinate the care plan to get our patients back on their feet.

What is home health care?

Home health is skilled care that patients need to receive but are unable to leave home. The type of care we provide is skilled care, which means that it is care that is performed by a licensed professional. To qualify for Medicare-covered skilled home health services, patients must meet certain criteria, including: having a doctor’s order for care, along with a recent physician visit; being homebound, meaning it’s difficult to leave home without assistance; and requiring skilled nursing care or therapy services on an intermittent basis.

It’s essential to note that while Medicare covers these services, there may be limitations and requirements, and not all services or conditions are covered. Additionally, patients may be responsible for certain costs, such as coinsurance or deductibles.

What type of services do you provide?

National Home Healthcare provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home heath aide services.

Who pays for home care?

Skilled services are paid at 100% by Medicare. Other insurance plans we participate with, such as Medicaid plans, Medicare Replacement or Medicare Advantage plans, may have different rates or coverage based on the specifics of your insurance plan. Our intake and authorization departments will coordinate with your insurance company prior to starting care so that you fully understand your benefits before we start care.

What is the difference between skilled care and personal care? Which do you provide?

Medicare-covered skilled home health services refer to medical care provided at home for individuals who are eligible for care as part of your insurance benefits. These services are intended for patients who have a medical condition that requires skilled nursing care or therapy services, and who are unable to leave their home without assistance. Skilled care is care that is performed by a licensed professional, such as a nurse or a therapist. This includes care such as medication management, disease management, wound care, joint replacement care, home exercise programs, to name a few.

Personal care, custodial care, or private duty non-skilled care describes services performed by a caregiver or companion, which is not covered by traditional health insurance. National Home Healthcare does not provide personal care in the home. The types of services not covered by insurance can include care for assistance of daily living, daily bathing and dressing, medication reminders, and meal preparation, to name a few. Specialized insurances such as long term care insurance or Medicaid Waiver programs may pay for this type of care with Private Duty Agencies.

The Medicare benefit may allow for an intermittent home health aide when the patient is also receiving skilled services and recovering from illness or injury. The care plan for this aide is developed by the Registered Nurse and Case Manager at the assessment during admission. The aide services must be part of the care for the primary illness or injury, and is given on a part-time, intermittent basis.