Patients have the right to choose their home health care provider. To get the highest quality care, it’s important to choose the home health provider that is best suited to you or your loved one’s specific needs. Before choosing a home health care agency, interview several providers and ask about the following:
1. Medicare/Medicaid Certification
Medicare and Medicaid cover home health care costs for eligible patients if care is provided by a certified home health care agency. 1 Agencies with this certification have undergone comprehensive evaluations of their operations, staff qualifications and patient care standards, which helps guarantee that you or your loved one will receive reliable and appropriate healthcare at home.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- Are you certified by Medicare or Medicaid?
2. Specialized Home Health Care Services
Home health care agencies can provide a wide range of services, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, education for caregivers and help with daily activities. Some home health agencies also offer special programs for conditions such as heart failure, COPD, diabetes or fall reduction. Make sure the agency you choose offers the care and services you need.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- What home health care services do you provide?
- Do you have any specialized programs for certain conditions?
- Can you make arrangements for all necessary medical equipment?
- Are there limits on the types of services provided?
3. Staff Credentials
Your home health team should include professionals with licenses and certifications appropriate to their field. Since team members will be caring for you in your home, be sure they have completed thorough background checks and receive ongoing training. This helps ensure your safety and the quality of your care.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- What are the care team members’ qualifications?
- Do team members have any special training?
4. Reputation and History
A strong reputation and long history in the community can be important factors when choosing a home health care agency. A personal recommendation from a friend, family member or health care professional is a good place to start.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- How long have you provided home health services?
- Are you inspected by an outside organization? If so, when was the last inspection?
- Are there patients, caregivers or healthcare professionals who recommend your home health agency?
5. Quality Scores
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors and reports on the quality of home health agencies on Care Compare using a measure called Star Ratings. The average Star Rating across most agencies is 3, an indicator of a good quality of care, with Star Ratings above three demonstrating above average quality. 2 (At Amedisys, 90% of our home health care centers have a Star Rating of 4 or above.)
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- How do you measure quality?
- What are your quality scores, and how do they compare to the national average?
6. Patient Satisfaction Scores
CMS also measures and reports on the experiences of people receiving home health care. These patient satisfaction star ratings are based on the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey, which looks at communication, safety and other measures. Choosing a home health care agency with strong patient satisfaction scores helps ensure you’ll have a positive experience.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- How do patients and families rate your home health services?
- What happens if I have an issue or concern?
7. 24/7 Availability
When choosing a home health care agency, find out if staff are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. Around-the-clock availability may help you avoid going to the hospital and improves access to care in an emergency.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- Do you have staff available 24 hours, 7 days a week?
- Who is on-call?
- What is your average response time?
8. Breakdown of Costs
It is important to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with home health care before selecting an agency. A reputable home health care agency should provide a detailed explanation of all expenses, including what services are covered by your insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid and which costs may require out-of-pocket payments.3 By seeking this information early, you can make an informed decision and choose a home health care provider that fits both your needs and your situation.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- How much will home health services cost?
- What insurance plans do you accept?
- Are there any additional fees?
9. Smooth Care Transitions
If you’re leaving a hospital or skilled nursing facility, you’ll want to choose a home health care agency that helps make the transition home as smooth as possible. Help with managing medications, getting the supplies and equipment you need, and support with daily activities like bathing and dressing can help you stay safe at home.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- How soon after discharge can home health services begin?
- What is the admissions process like?
- Do you offer 24/7 availability for visits?
10. Accreditation
Accreditation of a home health agency by a recognized accrediting agency, such as Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), Joint Commission or the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), shows an agency’s commitment to rigorous standards of excellence and quality patient care. Accreditation is not required of home health agencies but allows an agency to demonstrate their dedication and commitment to a higher level of performance.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- Are you nationally accredited? If so, by which organization?
- As a consumer, where can I find more information?
11. Personalized Care Plans
Your home health care plan should be tailored to your specific needs, with input from your doctor, caregiver and home health team. Personalized plans make it more likely you’ll get the right care at the right time.
Questions to Ask Home Health Agencies:
- Do you provide personalized care plans?
- How often is the plan updated?
These questions will help you differentiate between providers and choose a home health care agency that meets your unique needs.
Benefits of Finding a Home Health Agency
Finding a home health agency offers many advantages for individuals seeking care at home. Agencies like Amedisys provide access to trained caregivers, ensuring that your loved one receives personalized and attentive care. They handle critical health needs, including medication management, physical therapy and wound care, all within the comfort and familiarity of home.
Home health agencies also offer flexibility in scheduling and level of care, tailored to each client's specific requirements. Furthermore, agency caregivers are all licensed and undergo background checks, offering peace of mind regarding safety and competence. Working with an established agency also means they can coordinate with your medical providers, streamlining the entire process for families.
Find out if Amedisys Home Health is right for you. Call your local home health care center today.
Carolyn Hartsfield, MBA, RN, serves as Assistant Vice President of Nursing Strategy Innovation Programs at Amedisys. With 30 years of nursing experience, including 28 years in the home health industry, Carolyn brings a wealth of expertise to the field. She is passionate about improving home health services and dedicated to making a lasting impact in the industry.
