Grace Visiting Nurses

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for home health care?

Home health care can be covered through a variety of sources: If the care is medically necessary and the patient meets certain coverage requirements then Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans will usually pay for home health. Traditional Medicare pays 100% of the cost for home health care for individuals 65 years of age or over or permanently disabled. Private insurance will pay for home health care. Benefits vary per policy and verification of benefits is required. Grace Visiting Nurses will verify the coverage for the patient as well as fill out and submit all the necessary forms for insurance billing. We want the paperwork to be one less thing for our patients to have to worry about. Workers Compensation Insurance. Private Pay is available for services not covered for patients that may choose to pay out of pocket.

What is home health care?

Home health care assists and provides comprehensive car for a person in their recovery from an illness, accident or surgery. Also with direction from physician, home care nurses can assist in clinical management of chronic disease process or any changes in medical condition. Professional health care and rehabilitation and therapy services are delivered in a person’s home environment under the direction of their personal physician. Home Health care is the safe delivery of quality care in a cost effective manner to the patient’s in the comfort of their home. Nursing care by Grace Nurses is provided with a teamwork approach involving the patient first, physician, family, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.

Why do I need home health care?

Illness, surgical procedure, injury, or any number of life events may require in-home health care during the recovery process. As hospital stays decrease, increasing numbers of patients need highly skilled services when they return to home. Nursing care at home is necessary when a patient needs continued care that can’t easily or effectively be provided by family members or the patient themselves. Services are available with 24 hours on call nurse to assist 7 days a week.

What are the requirements for home health?

• Must be considered homebound.
• The patient is under the care of a physician who manages and authorizes the need for services.
• The patient requires some type of skilled nursing services/ need, therapy from a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and/or Speech Therapist.

What is considered Homebound?

Homebound means that you have a normal inability to leave your home, or that it takes a considerable and taxing effort to leave home. Absences from the home must be infrequent or for a very short period of time, for example leaving your home for medical care. Time away from home should not last longer than one to two hours or occur more often than one to two times per week, such as attending a place of worship once a week, grocery shopping, or hair appointment. In general, you are homebound if you have an illness or injury, which restricts your ability to leave home unless you have help. Examples would be if you need a wheelchair, special transportation or help from another person to leave your home. In most cases, if you are able to drive you are not considered homebound. If you leave your home for purposes other than to receive medical treatment and if the absences are long and frequent, such as frequent shopping trips or visits to friends, you are not deemed homebound.

How often are visits made?

A home health nurse comes as often as needed. Each individual needs are different and visits are coordinated and scheduled according to these needs.

What about my home medical equipment and supplies?

Grace Visiting Nurses can coordinate and arrange delivery for all your home medical equipment from Grace Healthcare Services including:

• Wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes, bathroom safety equipment,
• Oxygen, nebulizers, respiratory supplies