Deciding to bring a home health nurse or care provider into your home is a big decision. It’s important to find someone that you trust. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that patients and their families have about in home care services.
Who Provides Home Health Care Services?
The type of provider that visits your home will depend on your needs and likely includes a variety of health care professionals, including home health nurses, home health aides, and rehabilitation specialists. All VNA staff must meet the requirements of the PA Department of Health. They receive proper training, submit clearances, undergo background checks, and provide proof of necessary licenses.
How Are Referrals Made?
Referrals can be made by physicians, families, caregivers, social service or home health care agencies, friends, clergy, hospital, nursing home discharge planners, or individuals who need services. However, VNA Home Health Care needs to be prescribed and overseen by the patient’s physicians.
How Often Will I Receive Home Health Care Visits?
How often you receive home health care services depends on the care plan established by your physician and care team. We work with your care providers to coordinate home health services to fit your care plan.
How Do I Pay For Home Health Care?
VNA home health care services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Many insurance plans offer coverage, and we do accept self-pay/private pay options. VNA Home Health Care will work with you to make sure you understand your coverage.
What’s The Difference Between Hospice And Palliative Care?
The concept of Hospice was introduced in the 1970s to provide comfort for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of less than six months if the patient’s disease runs its expected course. Hospice provides physical and emotional support for patients and is typically provided in a patient’s home. Hospice care can also be provided in a hospital, a hospice facility, or a skilled nursing facility. In most cases, patients are no longer receiving curative treatment for their disease.
Palliative care is similar to hospice care, but there are some key differences. Palliative care is provided to patients with life limiting illnesses, in coordination with a patient’s medical treatment, to help relieve symptoms and manage pain. Patients can receive palliative care at any time, not just at the end of life. The goal of palliative care is to help the patient live as comfortably as possible while still receiving curative treatment where indicated.
How Much Does Hospice Care Cost?
VNA Hospice services are covered by Medicare, medical assistance, and most medical insurances. However, as a not-for-profit organization, no patient is turned away because they can’t pay.
How Can I Arrange Hospice Care?
A Hospice assessment can be requested by a physician, a patient, or a caregiver. The patient’s attending physician must confirm the need for hospice care.
At that point a hospice staff member will conduct a patient assessment to develop an individual plan of care.