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Home Health Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have questions about home health eligibility? Check out these FAQs for more information.

Home Health Frequently Asked Questions

As long as the patient meets Home Care eligibility requirements, Home Care services are covered by Medicare, and in many cases covered by Medicaid and private insurance.

  • Medicare – If eligibility requirements for Home Care are met, and the patient’s doctor has certified their Homebound Status, Medicare may cover Home Care services for a 60-day period. Click the link to learn more about how Medicare pays for these services: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guide, “Medicare and Home Health Care (PDF).”
  • Medicaid – Medicaid payment options depend on each state’s Medicaid policy. In many cases, Medicaid covers Home Care services. The best way to find out how your plan works with Embrace Home Health is to contact your state’s Medicaid office. You can find additional contact information for your state’s Medicaid program by searching the CMS.gov Contacts Database.
  • Private Insurance – Most private insurance plans cover Home Care services. To find out if your insurance plan includes Home Care coverage or if Embrace Home Health is an in-network provider, please contact the insurance company directly. You can also give us a call — we’d be happy to guide you through the options.

We work closely with the patient’s doctor to determine the type of care that is needed. The amount of visits performed varies by patient. Different patients have different needs. We create a plan so the appropriate health care professionals will visit at the frequency that is best for the patient.

Contact us with any questions.

Patients can continue to see their personal doctors, but they must meet the homebound criteria.  Our Home Care team works closely with the patient’s doctor when the plan of care is created.   If the patient’s doctor makes home visits, they can continue to make visits as needed.

During the first Home Care visit, one of our nurses or therapists will meet with the patient to perform an initial evaluation. The nurse or therapist will answer a series of questions and develop a coordinated plan for future Home Care visits. Most importantly, they’ll work closely with the patient to establish goals and start the process of achieving them.

The goal of Home Care is to serve patients who have an illness or health concern that makes it difficult for them to leave their home, it is important to determine each individual’s Homebound Status.

To be homebound means:

  • Because of an illness or injury, you have problems leaving your house without assistance (such as using a cane, wheelchair, walker, or crutches; special transportation; or support from another person); or leaving your home isn't advised given your condition.

  • You rarely leave your house, and even when you do, it requires a great deal of effort.

Most often, patients use Home Care services when they are recovering from a surgery or managing a chronic illness. Most plans follow the Medicare guidelines when considering coverage. The Medicare guidelines include the following criteria:

  • The services must be ordered by a physician.
  • There must be a skilled need. Skilled nursing or therapy services (such as physical, occupational, and/or speech) are needed on an intermittent basis.
  • A patient must be homebound. The patient’s ability to leave their home requires abnormally taxing effort. This is considered the ‘Homebound Status’, and it needs to be confirmed and certified by the patient’s doctor.

If you have:

  • Medicare or Medicaid Insurance – Click the link to view more detailed requirements: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guide, “Medicare and Home Health Care (PDF).”

  • Private Insurance – Contact your insurance company to determine Home Care eligibility.

Of course, we are always available to speak with you about your options. Please feel free to contact us.

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