Home health can be hard to understand when a hospital gives your family a list of agency names and asks you to choose quickly. Start with four basic questions.
Is there a skilled need?
Medicare home health is for medically necessary, intermittent skilled care. That may include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, or home health aide support that is part of the skilled plan. It is not the same as round-the-clock companion care.
Is leaving home difficult?
Medicare uses the word “homebound.” It does not mean you can never leave home. It generally means leaving requires help, special equipment, or a major effort, or that leaving is not advised because of your condition.
Is there an order and the required visit?
A physician or other qualified practitioner must order home health and document the need. Medicare also requires a related face-to-face encounter within its allowed time window.
Which agency will provide the care?
You have a right to choose. Your Medicare benefits do not become better or worse because one agency’s name appears first on a discharge list. Compare whether the agency can accept the referral, provides the ordered services, covers the service address, and has experience with the kind of recovery you face.
Orthopaedic & Medical Home Health is Medicare-certified, state-licensed, locally owned, and based in Columbia. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and private pay. Call us with questions. We’ll explain the next step in plain language and call you back the next business day.
Coverage details can vary, especially with Medicare Advantage plans. Confirm your benefits and any network or authorization rules before care begins.
Common questions
Can I choose my Medicare home health agency?
Yes. Patients have the right to choose among qualified agencies that can accept the referral.
Does Medicare home health mean someone stays all day?
No. Medicare home health is intermittent skilled care, not round-the-clock custodial care.