WHAT IS HOME HEALTHCARE?
Home health care is an excellent, less costly alternative to hospital or other institutional care. Service is based on the individual needs as identified by his or her physician’s plan of care. Services can vary from 24-hour-a-day care to monthly visits from skilled nurses, therapists, social workers, and/or home health aides. The main benefit of home healthcare to the patient is that it can alleviate the need for extended hospital stays or a nursing home placement.
WHAT DOES THE TERM ‘AGING IN PLACE’ MEAN?
This refers to the ability of any person to grow old in their own home or that of their family. Our philosophy is to “provide healthcare where it belongs….in the comfortable surroundings of home,”—it is the opposite of institutional residential care like that of the nursing home.
WHAT REQUIREMENTS DOES MEDICARE HAVE FOR HOME CARE SERVICES?
If an individual qualifies for Medicare, Medicare pays for 100 percent of approved services furnished in their home if they meet certain requirements—specifically, that they be homebound to their home. These services can be provided in the home even if the individual has not been hospitalized.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED HOMEBOUND?
To be considered homebound, a patient must meet standard guidelines set by Medicare. Firstly, a patient is considered homebound if leaving home is inconvenient, taxing, and even dangerous. Secondly, when the patient does leave the home, it is infrequent and for a short period of time only. Thirdly, leaving the home requires the patient to have the assistance of another person.
Note: Leaving home for medical and therapy appointments is not in violation of homebound status.
WHAT DOES MEDICARE PAY FOR UNDER THE HOME HEALTH BENEFIT?
- Visits by a Nurse
- Visits by a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Therapist
- Visits by a Home Health Aide
HOW DOES THE COST OF HOME HEALTH CARE COMPARE WITH ASSISTED LIVING OR NURSING HOME CARE?
The average home health care service runs about 1/3 of the cost of an Assisted Living Facility and less than 1/4 of what the skilled facility would cost.
HOW QUICKLY CAN SERVICES BE PROVIDED?
Generally, services can be provided within a 48-hour period and often the same day.
HOW DO I START SERVICES?
Call our office to find a caregiver near you. We will have our staff come to your home and conduct a free, no-obligation assessment. At your direction, we will identify caregivers who have the skills, personality, and availability to assist you. You will then be able to meet the caregiver and, if you approve, they will begin working for and with you.
Get in Touch!
We appreciate your interest in Acme Health Services, Inc. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly here. One of our qualified nurses would be more than happy to help you.
You may also use the following information to reach us:
Acme Health Services, Inc.
6302 Rucker Road, Suite J
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Local: 317-257-3545
E-mail: intake@acmehhc.com