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Choosing the Right
Home Health Agency
In
order to determine the kind of Health Agency that meets your needs,
you should ask yourself the following key questions...
- How long has the agency been serving the
community?
- Is the agency certified by Medicare?
- Is the agency licensed, if required by
your state?
- Is the agency accredited?
- Does the agency provide literature
explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and
funding sources?
- How does the agency select and train its
employees?
- Are the agency's nurses or therapists
required to evaluate the patient's home care needs? If so, what
does this entail? Are the patient's family and physicians
consulted?
- Is the patient's course of treatment
documented, detailing the specific tasks to be carried out by
each professional caregiver? Is a copy of the plan given to the
patient and family and updated as changes occur?
- Does the agency assign supervisors to
oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in their
homes? Whom can you call with questions or complaints? How are
problems followed up and resolved?
- Does the agency educate patients and
families on the type of care that is being provided?
- What is the agency's financial procedure?
Does it provide written statements that explain all the costs
and payment plan options associated with home care?
- Are the agency's caregivers available 24
hours a day, seven days a week?
- Does the agency review your rights and
responsibilities? How do they ensure patient confidentiality?
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