When you or a loved one is unwell or confined at home, access to home health care services is life-changing. If you live in the Philadelphia area and require home health care, you will want to locate the best home health agencies in Philadelphia. But in the past few years, some home health care eligibility requirements have changed. It’s important that you know what’s changed so you can plan for the care you need.
Read on to find out what is new with home health care in Philadelphia and how to determine your eligibility.
Changes to Home Health Care Eligibility Since COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred changes in the eligibility requirements for home health care services to protect vulnerable populations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now consider people at high risk of COVID-19 eligible for homebound status. This includes people over 65, long-term care residents, and people with underlying medical conditions.
Why Use Home Health Care Services?
Home health services may be needed in short-term situations like surgical or accident recovery, but they may also be required on a more permanent basis. For many elderly and infirm people, it is much simpler to receive basic health care in the comfort of their own homes. Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans provide excellent coverage for those with home health care eligibility.
Reading about the process of obtaining care at home may leave you wondering, “Am I eligible for home health care in Philadelphia?” Read on to see if you or your loved one is eligible for home care.
What Are Home Health Care Eligibility Criteria?
When you meet with your doctor, they will evaluate your current health status and needs. If they determine that your health requires frequent visits to a doctor or hospital, is getting worse, or requires new medications, they can order home health services for you. These services may include skilled nursing, physical, speech, or occupational therapy, or respiratory services.
In order for you to receive home health care in Philadelphia, you must satisfy the following criteria.
Homebound Status
To be eligible for home health care, you must be homebound. In addition to the new COVID criteria discussed above, you must now show that it is a serious challenge for you to leave your home without assistance to be considered homebound.
Medical Devices
You require assistive medical devices in your daily life, like a cane, wheelchair, walker, lift, or physical help from another person for daily activities.
Necessary Trips Only
You avoid unnecessary trips out of your house if you can avoid them. Most of your trips are for medical appointments, personal care services, religious services or family affairs like funerals.
What Are the Next Steps?
Once you have determined that you are eligible to receive home health services, your doctor will guide you through the rest of the process. We have broken this down into a few simple steps to help you understand what you can expect from your doctor when you are referred for services from home health agencies in Philadelphia.
Meet With Your Doctor
The first step you will want to take once you determine your home health eligibility is to meet with your doctor. It is important to have an honest discussion about your health needs. If you’re eligible, your doctor will order home health services for you that will cover all your needs.
Determine What You Need
Once you and your doctor determine the home health services that would benefit you most, you should create a plan together to ensure that you receive all the services that you need. This might include skilled nursing services, medical supplies, speech, occupational, physical therapy, or social services.
Review Your Plan
You should meet with your doctor regularly to review your home health plan and determine if you should continue with the home health services that you are currently receiving or whether your services should be changed.
Choose Care & Help Home Care – The Best Home Health Care in Philadelphia
If you are searching for the best home health agencies in Philadelphia, look no further. At Care & Help Home Care, LLC we know that choosing a home care provider is a difficult decision. There is nothing as important as your health and well-being. We’re committed to providing transparent, trustworthy, and professional home care services for your loved ones. If you’re in need of the best home care services in Philadelphia, contact us today.
