Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care
Are the caregivers bonded & insured?
Yes. Every Home caregiver is an employee of our agency. As such, we perform a criminal history background clearance on each caregiver, and cover each of them with general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.
Will the same caregiver come each day/shift?
Our goal is to establish a long-term match between client and caregiver and to keep the same caregiver with a client as long as the client is satisfied. This is based upon our experience that developing a strong rapport and trust with your caregiver is a vital component to a successful home care experience. In short, we want to avoid the “revolving door of caregivers.”
Of course, you have the choice of which days and hours you receive care. So, if you choose to receive many hours of service in a given day, or service during different times of the day throughout the week, it may be necessary to schedule more than one caregiver in a given week. Regardless, we want to have the same caregiver(s) coming each week, as long as you are happy with them. All such decisions will be made with the consent of the client.
Are home care services covered by insurance or Medicare?
Many long-term care insurance, worker’s compensation, and automobile insurance policies will reimburse for these kinds of services. Additional funds from Reverse Mortgages, Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts are often used to pay for homecare.
Nurse Professionals Home Care has preferred relationships with many such companies. We will help you and your family through every step of the often confusing process involved with determining what a policy will actually cover, and we will provide the documentation your insurance company requests.
Medicare does not pay for this type of hourly companion and personal care service.
How is the privacy of my personal information maintained?
As a professional organization in the healthcare industry, your information will never be sold to any 3rd party or affiliate under any circumstances. In fact, only the office personnel and caregivers are directly involved in your services will have access to information related to your care.
We adhere to all applicable federal and state guidelines related to privacy of personal and healthcare information. This starts from day one with the formal services agreement we execute prior to the delivery of homecare services. The written service agreement stipulations the exact restriction on the use of your information, which clarifies that even unauthorized family members will not be given access to information without the client’s or legally authorized representative’s formal consent.
What is the cost for these services?
Nurse Professionals Home Care will customize a plan of care that is unique to every client and suitable to your budget. There are a couple of factors that help determine the exact cost-number of hours of care you receive, the length of home care services that are most suitable for you(non-medical companion, hands-on personal care, etc.), and if skilled nursing care is required.
Our services are typically billed on an hourly basis, which is what makes it so easy to customize a plan of care. Also, you often have the choice of multiple levels of care, which assures that you are never billed an inflated rate for the services of an over-qualified caregiver.
What’s the next step?
To start with our in-home care services, we arrange a time to visit with the family, responsibility party, and/or client to fully discuss the care and to complete an assessment.
At that time, we decide, with you or the family, the most appropriate services that are needed, and match you with the right caregiver. To assure that every client receives the specific services they want, we complete a customized plan of care for each client. We answer the important questions that the client and/or family members have regarding our services and costs. Usually care can begin within a few days.
What if I need changes to my services?
We are very flexible with our service and understand the care requirements can quickly change. At the client and family’s discretion, care can typically be established within a few days.