Home health care is an excellent, cost-effective alternative to hospital or other institutional care. Service is based on the individual’s needs as defined by his or her doctor’s plan of care. This may include visits from skilled nurses, therapists, social workers and/or home health aides.

In many cases, home health care allows a person to be discharged earlier from a hospital, reduces hospital admissions, and helps with a faster recovery. Most importantly, people are happier at home and receive more care and attention from family, friends and home health care professionals.

The team includes doctors, nurses, home health aides, medical social workers, and therapists. They coordinate care based on the individual’s needs.

Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurances may cover the cost of home health care services. Some insurance policies will not cover all home health care services unless certain conditions are met. You can still obtain care without insurance coverage through a private duty agency on a private-pay basis. Additionally, some agencies may have funding to help people who cannot afford the private pay option. The home health care agency can help determine if the services you need are covered or if you need to make other arrangements.

A doctor, patient or family member can initiate service. However, Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans require doctor oversight. Once the doctor prescribes home health care, he/she authorizes a coordinated treatment plan, commonly called a “plan of care,” and periodically reviews services and the patient’s progress. If a doctor does not prescribe home health care, but the individual still desires services, a private duty agency can suggest a plan of care to meet a wide variety of needs and budgets. While some insurance plans may pay for private duty services, they are typically an out-of-pocket expense.