Frequently Asked Questions

What is home health care?

Home health care is a broad range of cost-effective, skilled professional health care provided in your home. Once the physician prescribes home health care, he/she will authorize a coordinated treatment plan, known as a “plan of care” (P.O.C.). Home health care is appropriate when a person can stay at home safely, but still needs on-going care that cannot easily be provided by friends or family. Home health care is an excellent alternative to hospital or other institutional care.

What are the advantages of home health care?

In many cases, home health care permits your loved one to be discharged early from the hospital and assists patients with a more rapid recovery. Most importantly, people are happier at home and receive more care and attention from family and friends. Home health care professionals provide one-on-one assistance as well as encouragement to suit your loves one’s needs.

Who uses home health care?

People of all ages use home health care agencies—from senior citizens to young children. Some examples include:

• Those being discharged from a hospital that need additional care.
• People recovering from an illness, accident, or those who have short-term health needs.
• Those needing additional assistance due to age or disability and want to remain in their own homes.
• Those being discharged from a nursing home and need additional care.
• Those requiring knowledge, training and education regarding disease and disease care.
  
  

What professionals make up the home health care team?

The CarePartners Home Health, Inc. (CarePartners) team consists of many health care professionals who base their care on the patient’s individual needs. This can include, but is not limited to: physicians, nurses, home health aides, medical social workers and physical, occupational, speech and language therapists.

Who pays for home health care services?

Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurances may cover the cost of home health care. Some insurance policies will only cover home health care services when certain conditions are met. CarePartners will assist you in determining if you are eligible for the services needed under Medicare.

How does service begin?

Only a physician’s order can initiate service. Medicare and most insurance will require that a physician monitors the home health program. Services are based on the individual’s need as defined by his/her physician's plan of care. The physician will periodically review the services being offered as well as the patient’s progress.

Who provides home health care?

Home care organizations typically provide this type of individualized care. Organizations that provide home health care include: Medicare certified home health agencies, area agencies on aging, staff and private duty nursing agencies. Other companies may also be utilized to provide special services and products like medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals and drug infusion therapy.

What services do home health care agencies provide?

Services may vary by agency. CarePartners' services include skilled nursing, physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy. Home health aide services, medical social services, specialized services and new medical technologies are routinely provided as well.

Who can receive home health care?

People of all ages with acute and chronic health care needs can receive home health care services. Home health is for persons in need of professional care or supportive assistance in their home environment.

When should your loved one consider home care?

You should consider using home health care when you need to recover from surgery, a major illness, a significant decline in your ability to perform daily activities and if you are homebound, or bedridden. Your loved one will need a referral from a physician before applying for home health care services.

Should I wait for my physician to suggest home health care?

If there is some concern about you or a loved one, it is best to have an open dialogue with your physician. You should raise your health care concerns timely to quickly obtain a course of action or solution.

How do I find home care services?

Finding the best home care provider to best suit your needs requires research, but is time well spent. Important factors include the quality of care, availability of needed services, personnel training, expertise, and coverage provided. Before starting a search, it is important to determine what services are needed. You may wish to consult with your physician, a hospital discharge planner, or a social service organization (such as an area agency on aging) for assistance in evaluating your needs. Once this assessment is complete you will be able to identify the type of home care provider most appropriate to assist you.

Some questions you may want to ask a prospective home health care agency, along with CarePartners' answers to these questions, appear below:

How long has an agency been serving the community?

CarePartners Home Health, Inc. is proud to have been serving the greater Columbus area since 1995.

Does the agency have information explaining its services and eligibility requirements?

CarePartners has several brochures describing its programs and services. Call 614-899-9055 to receive brochures on our home health care services.

Are nurses or therapists required to evaluate the patient's home care needs? If so, what does this involve?

A patient's first visit consists of a thorough assessment of physical, mental, emotional and social needs. From this assessment, an individualized plan of care is developed with input from the family and authorization from the patient's physician.

Will the provider consult the patient's physicians and family members?

CarePartners always welcomes family involvement in a patient's care. Medicare guidelines require physician consultation, and additionally CarePartners will contact the patient's physician at your request.

Is the patient's course of treatment documented, detailing specific tasks to be accomplished by each professional caregiver?

Yes. A patient's course of treatment and progress is documented at each CarePartners home visit.

Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan, and is the plan updated as changes occur?

Yes. A copy of the patient's plan of care, along with a list of patient's rights and responsibilities is left in the patient's home.

Will the provider take time to teach family members about the care given to the patient?

Yes. Education is an important part of CarePartners patient care plan and family members are an integral part of the care team.

Who can the patient and his or her family members contact with questions or concerns?

CarePartners patients and family members can feel free to call 614-899-9055 regarding any home health related question or concern.