What You Put in Your Body Affects Your Health Greatly

Bringing a home care provider into your home can mean the difference between independent living or going into nursing care. You likely have a lot of questions that you want answered before opening up your home and life to this service. Below, find the answers to some of the most common questions about senior home care.

Question #1: Will your insurance cover home care?

Answer: This depends. Medicare does cover some home health care services, for example. Generally, these are when the care is prescribed by your physician and the services include skilled medical care, such as physical therapy or nursing care. Private insurance plans may also cover all or a portion of your home health care costs. There are also longterm care insurance policies available, which may also have the ability to offset some or all of the cost.

Question #2: What services will be provided?

Answer: If your services are covered by health insurance or Medicare, then covered services will likely be only those that are prescribed by your doctor for medical reasons. This includes physical and occupational therapy, skilled nursing services, hearing or speech therapy, and the changing of dressings on wounds. Optional services are also available, which you can pay for out of pocket if you don't have additional insurance coverage. These include personal care, such as bathing and grooming help, along with household services, which can include cooking, laundry, and running errands.

Question #3: Are there temporary options available?

Answer: Often, home health care is only for a limited time. For example, you may only need the services to help you recover from a recent surgery, illness or accident. Sometimes, you may only have one or two visits, such as if you need home health services to help you learn how to use a new assistive device, such as a wheelchair. You will likely have a limited time for services if it is covered by insurance or Medicare, which will depend upon the limitations of your policy and the length of time it is prescribed for.

Question #4: How is communication handled amongst your various care professionals?

Answer: Fortunately, you won't need to try and remember everything that happens at home or at the doctors. As medical professionals, your home health provider will share your medical records from home – including things such as blood pressure readings and physical therapy stats – with your doctor. They will also have access to your records with your doctor. It is also highly likely that all of your medical professionals will work together via phone or email to develop an integrated treatment plan for both home and in-office.

For more information, contact a professional like those at In Your Home Care.