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by Catherine M. Eberle, MD, University
of Nebraska Medical Center
People receive most of their care at
home from family; however, outside assistance may be available.
This help may include a person such as a nurse, an aide, a therapist,
or a social worker; or it may include equipment and supplies.
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Q. What is home
care?
A. Formal
home care is the provision of services and equipment to a
patient in his or her home for the purpose of restoring and
maintaining the best possible comfort, function, and health.
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Q. What services may
be provided as a part of home care?
A. Services
may include any of the following:
- Professional service - care provided by a
doctor, nurse, dentist, foot doctor, therapist (such as physical,
occupational or speech therapists), psychologist, pharmacist,
or social worker.
- Ancillary service - care provided by a home
health aide who often helps with bathing and personal hygiene;
or help provided by homemakers, chore aides, volunteers, or
home-delivered meals.
- Diagnostic testing - such as drawing blood,
taking x-rays, and performing heart tests.
- Medical equipment - such as intravenous supplies
and drugs, medical alert services, blood sugar tests, home safety
(such as ramps and rails to assist in moving around), hospital
beds, canes, walkers, and other items deemed medically necessary
by your physician.
Q. Do I qualify for
home care?
A. For Medicare
to cover help at home, a person must be homebound or frail. A
"homebound" person is someone unable to leave his or her home
except for doctor appointments or to go to church. A "frail" person
has many illnesses and goes to the hospital or emergency room
for his or her care.
Q. How can I receive
home care services?
A. Most often
your doctor will refer you to a home care agency or equipment
provider when you become ill and need more care and services at
home. This may happen while you are in the hospital, but you do
not have to be in the hospital to get home care services. You
should tell your doctor if you are having problems at home and
think you could benefit from help.
Q. How long will I
be able to receive home care services?
A. How long
you receive home care assistance depends on how long you need
that help, if there is someone to provide the care, as well as
how you pay for it.
Q. Who pays for home
care?
A. The following
programs often pay for home care services:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Other health and disability insurance
- Social Security, Title XX
- Older Americans Act, Title III
- Veterans Administration
- Various charities
You may also pay for services out-of-pocket.
Some agencies provide services according to a person's ability
to pay.
Q. How much does it
cost?
A. The cost
depends on the service, the equipment and your insurance. If you
were in the hospital recently, Medicare or your insurance company
may cover services and needed equipment. The agencies on the list
below can identify groups that will pay for services.
Resources to help you learn more about home care in your area:
National Association for Home Care
228 Seventh Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 547-7424
Fax: (202) 547-3540
Website: www.nahc.org
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244
Phone: (410) 786-3000
Website: www.hcfa.gov
You may find answers to your questions about Medicaid and Medicare
and home care services at www.hcfa.gov/faqs/default.asp.
Other groups that can help are:
- Area offices on aging
- Your insurance company
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Home health agencies
- Case managers
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