Home Healthcare Providers: Top 5 Things to Know

Choosing a home healthcare provider is a big step. Armed with a detailed list of questions and concerns, you can make an informed decision that will put your mind at ease.

Considering a home healthcare provider for a family member is a big step. Just as a new parent would take time to carefully screen a daycare or preschool for their child, you should do the same for an elderly or ill family member. While it may seem overwhelming to shop for a home healthcare provider, organizing your thoughts and concerns prior to the interview will ensure that all of your questions are answered and you have enough information to make your decision. The following is list of important topics to cover with potential caregivers.

1. Qualifications

Whether you are choosing an agency or a private healthcare provider, it is important to understand their background and education. Caregivers should also be licensed by the state in which you live. Most states require licensing, but some do not. Be sure to understand your state’s regulations and know whether or not a potential caregiver is abiding by them. Caregivers can also be accredited, which is different, and often more impressive, than being licensed. Independent agencies like The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations. This mean the agency exceeded requirements and went above and beyond the minimum that licensing requires.

Determine if your potential agency or caregiver is certified by the Medicare program. They must meet minimum safety and health requirements for this certification. Finally, be sure the agency can provide references. If you are choosing a private caregiver, request references from them as well. Try to speak with people that have personally worked with anyone that will be caring for your loved one.

2. Quality of Care

Speak with the agency about the way in which they hire and train their employees. Determine if they provide continuing education. If you are interviewing private caregivers, speak with them about how they stay current in their field. Make sure your chosen caregiver is licensed and insured. You may also want to speak with your insurance companies to see what coverage they offer concerning any unexpected circumstances.

If your caregiver is employed by an agency, find out how closely the agency monitors their performance and behavior. If you are unhappy with your assigned caregiver, what right do you have to request another option? Finally, when speaking with the caregiver, determine if they are friendly and helpful. Do you feel comfortable with them? Allow them to interact with your loved one if possible. If you can speak with your loved one concerning their feelings, their input can be very helpful and insightful.

3. Costs

Just as you would with any other service, request a quote in writing. Speak with the agency or private caregiver concerning how they handle billing and payments. Work out nuts and bolts details like whether payments can be automatically drafted from a checking account or if they require monthly or biweekly payments.

Your health insurance or your loved one’s health insurance may cover all of or part of the cost of the home healthcare provider. Speak with the agency about billing problems and how they will be handled should they occur. Ask if you will you be dealing with the health insurance company and acting as a liaison, or will it be handled “behind the scenes”? If the agency will deal directly with health insurance, this may save you a lot of time and headaches. Also determine if financial aid is available, if necessary. There may be application forms the agency can provide.

4. Services

This could well be the determining factor in your choice of home healthcare providers, so consider these questions carefully and adjust them to suit your needs as necessary. Ask the healthcare provider if there will be a written healthcare plan. This should include medical equipment, procedures and medications. It should also be updated frequently and available for your review. With the healthcare plan should be a list of rights and responsibilities. This is sometimes referred to as a “patient’s bill of rights.”

Determine if the home healthcare provider will coordinate with doctors, physical therapists and other healthcare providers. It is important that they communicate so everyone understands situations that may arise. You should not be relied upon to disseminate information to professionals, particularly if you have no medical training. Also determine if you are required to appoint a primary family caregiver and do so, if necessary. Also determine how any grievances or difficulties will be handled. An agency should have a program in place for solving problems. A private caregiver will need to understand that they are a contract employee. You may want to consider creating a grievance policy of your own to avoid unexpected difficulties. The last thing someone needs is for an unprofessional, unhappy caregiver to desert their loved one.

Finally, work out the schedule of care. Will it be round the clock or will there be appointments? This is important for family planning.