How to Choose a Home Health Agency

Home health care agencies typically care for elderly parents, disabled family members, or the terminally ill. Follow these steps to select an agency that will meet your needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Ask friends and acquaintances for referrals to a good agency which has a skilled and dedicated team of professionals and high rate of success. Also ask around at your place of worship and contact your doctor for advice.

2. Contact your state's Department of Health and ask for a list of approved home health agencies in your area. Contact local social service agencies for referrals.

3. Do a search on the Internet for home health care agencies by using your city, state, county and zip code. Review the listings in the local phone book. Also look for ads in magazines and newspapers.

4. Write down your top choices and then check up on the agencies. Make sure the agency is approved and licensed by the state and covers Medicare/Medicaid or your particular insurance. Contact the Better Business Bureau to inquire about complaints.

5. Schedule an appointment to meet with an agency representative. Ask a lot of questions. Keep in mind the following when evaluating a home health agency: quality of service, availability of the staff, number of expert individuals able to handle difficult situations, performance record, reputation in the community and emergency services.

Tips & Warnings

• Clearly explain the services you require to potential agencies.
• Ask the agency for a list of references that you can contact.
• Consider the pros and cons of each agency before you decide.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[brazzell]

on 5/13/2009 This article does not apply well to skilled home health care from a nurse or therapist. Home health agencies are prohibited by federal law from giving out information about patients. They will not be able to provide a list of patient references. The author recommends asking acquaintances about who provides the best medical care based on their anecdotal, lay person opinion before it says talk to your doctor. No. A doctor must sign orders that legally permit nurses and therapists to do the skilled work patients need at home. Ask the doctor with which agency he/she works well and ask his/her PROFESSOINAL opinion about who is doing the best job.Also check www.Medicare.gov/HHCompare/ for objective outcome measures from home health agencies in your area. Medicare tracks and compares the outcomes of Medicare Certified home health agencies to give consumers a way to objectively compare...