Q: What is homecare?
A: Homecare consists of services and supports provided to individuals so that they can remain in their homes living independent lives. In Pennsylvania, there are two types of homecare organizations: Agencies that are licensed by the Department of Health and provide medical care, which is authorized by a physician, and homecare agencies that provide continuous, private duty care, which many times is non-medical, such as personal care assistance.
Q: What is the goal of homecare?
A: To assist individuals so that they can remain in their homes living independent lives.
Q: What types of services are provided by home health agencies?
A: Medicare-certified home health agencies provide skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapies and home health aide services. Agencies also provide non-medical services such as help with help with bathing, meal preparation, transportation and dressing. Just about any type of service an individual would need in order to remain in his/her home is offered by homecare agencies.
Q: How can I find out which homecare agency is best for my family member?
A: Several sources exist that can assist you in selecting the most appropriate homecare agency. Locate a Homecare Provider or call 1-800-382-1211 to obtain a list of agencies nearest you,
as well as other helpful information on the value of homecare.
The PA Department of Aging also has a site at: www.aging.state.pa.us that offers helpful suggestions as well as a toll-free number to call for questions regarding long-term care: 1-866-286-3636.
The PA Department of Health's website: www.health.state.pa.us also provides a listing of agencies that provide in-home medical care, which is paid by Medicare or Medicaid. The site also includes the results of agencies' recent inspections. Another important tool to help in your selection of a homecare agency is offered by the federal government. Known as Home Health Compare, patients' conditions are charted at the start and at the end of homecare to gauge the success of the agency in improving or maintaining a patient's ability to live independently. These indicators are then compared with a national and state average. This information can be found at www.medicare.gov or if you don't have Internet access, call 1-800-Medicar to obtain this information.
Q: Who pays for homecare?
A: If you are 65 years or older or disabled, Medicare usually pays for home healthcare that is medically necessary and authorized by a physician. For individuals needing assistance with non-medical care such as support for everyday living including assistance with bathing, eating, and taking medication, this type of long-term care is NOT covered by Medicare. However, your Area Agency on Aging may determine that you are eligible to receive reimbursement for this type of personal care under a program known as the Pennsylvania Department of Aging Waiver program or PDA Waiver. Income and an individual's health condition are used to determine eligibility for this program. To obtain the contact information for your local AAA, call your county courthouse or visit www.aging.state.pa.us or call the PA Homecare Association at 800-382-1211. Some insurance, such as long-term care, may cover homecare, or you may pay for it yourself.
Q: What healthcare services does Medicare pay and what will I be billed for?
A: Medicare pays for the approved cost of all covered home health visits. The home health agency sends bills to Medicare. Before your care begins, the home health agency must tell you how much of your bill Medicare will pay. The agency must also tell you if any items of services they give you are not covered by Medicare and how much you will have to pay for them. This must be explained both by talking with you and in writing.
Q: My mother is 81 years-old and is having trouble getting around. All of us (sons and daughters) have moved away and can't help her with bathing or getting to and from the doctor's. Can homecare help with this?
A: Absolutely. Most homecare agencies provide this type of custodial care. Visit www.pacareathome.org to get a listing of agencies nearest you. Usually, the agency will send someone to assess your mother's needs and then recommend the specific services they can provide.
Q: How much does homecare cost?
A: Many agencies publish their costs on their website or you can call and ask. All legitimate homecare agencies should outline their fees in advance. Click here to locate an agency in your area.
Q: How can I find out if the agency is good?
A: A list of questions you should ask a homecare agency can be found on the Pennsylvania Homecare Association's website here. Asking for references, employee criminal background checks, training
and their reliability are key questions that will help you make your decision. Also, check out Medicare's website, www.medicare.gov to find out
how an agency's quality of care sizes up against other agencies in the state.
Q: With Pennsylvania's growing elderly population, isn't homecare becoming a popular alternative to nursing homes?
A: Yes. A recent survey of older Pennsylvanians indicated that people want to grow old in their own homes, not in an institution. This sentiment has been heard by public policymakers, and there has been a shift in focus from nursing home care to home and community-based care. Not only do people want to remain in their home, it is far cheaper than nursing home care. In fact, state-funded programs now exist to divert individuals from nursing homes if they can be cared for appropriately in their homes.
Q: How many people receive homecare?
A: According to the Department of Health, the state agency responsible for regulating the 300 plus Medicare-certified homecare agencies, nearly 59,000 individuals are receiving home healthcare on any given day. In 2000, 353,000 individuals in Pennsylvania received home healthcare however this number does not include those people receiving non-medical, continuous support care in their homes by some 500 agencies that provide this type of care.
Q: How many homecare agencies are there in Pennsylvania?
A: There are 321 licensed homecare agencies and another 500 agencies providing non-medical homecare. The non-medical homecare agencies are not licensed in Pennsylvania; therefore, the number is an estimate. However, the statewide trade association representing homecare providers, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, has supported licensure for private duty homecare agencies for more than ten years. Currently legislation is pending in the State Senate that would license this segment of homecare.
Q: What do I do if I have a complaint about my homecare services?
A: The State Department of Health has a toll free hotline at 1-800-222-0989. However, if there is an issue with an unlicensed homecare agency, the Department has no jurisdiction.
