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Is the agency licensed (required
in many states) and accredited by a healthcare
accreditation organization, such as the Joint
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO)?
Does the agency accept Medicare,
Medicaid, or other public third party payors?
Because each state has its own eligibility
requirements, the home health agency may not accept
patients covered by Medicaid.
Is the agency Medicare certified?
Only Medicare certified agencies can provide
services covered by Medicare. It is also beneficial
to determine if the agency will continue services if
Medicare or other reimbursement sources are
exhausted.
The agency you choose should be an extension of
the physician's original plan of care for the
patient. It is essential that the agency and
Caregivers work well with the care recipient, her
family and physician. The common goal for everyone
involved in the patient's home care services should
be a successful recovery.
This information is provided
by Columbia Homecare. For more information about
home care and a free booklet entitled "How to Choose
a Home Care Provider", please call 1-800-COLUMBIA,
(800) 265-8624.
Home Care Resources
Eldercare Locator (800) 677-1116
Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations
(708) 916-5600
Health Care Financing Administration
(410) 786-3000
National Association for Home Care
(202) 547-7424
National HomeCaring Council
(202) 547-6586
