INFORMED CONSUMER'S CORNER If you're considering Private Duty assistance for the first time, you might find you have a few questions. Feel free to browse, but if you don't see the information you need, please Email Us. Who knows, we may end up adding your question to the list. What is Home Health Care? Home Health care ranges greatly in it's definition and can cover a broad range of needs - both temporary and permanent. Often times our clients require only minimal assistance, a couple of hours each in the morning and evening to help with morning and evening activities. Some clients require a few brief visits per week while others need someone available around the clock because of either physical or mental disabilities. Home health care and homemaker services can also cover needs ranging from help with meals and home mainenance to supervision as well as medication administration. If you think you or your loved ones can benefit from these services or if your family is simply unable to meet the needs of a loved one who wishes to remain in their own home, home health care may be your best choice. If you're in the Treasure Coast area, please contact us for a free private consultation in your home. When to Consider Home Health Care? The time to consider home health care for you or a loved one is when help is needed with some or all of the normal activities of daily living, such as hygiene, housekeeping, cooking, shopping or even walking steadily without assistance. Other indications may be that more help is needed than the family is able to offer or there is an increase in forgetfulness that may prove dangerous because of medications improperly taken or stove burners being left on. Do We Have To Have Assistance All The Time Or Only When The Service Is Needed? Douglas Health Services offers our services strictly on an as needed basis - without contracts and without obligation. While we're able to offer assistance 24 hours a day and 7 days per week, we can also be there only when you need us, whether it's with a set schedule of 2-3 hours while the caregiver in the family takes a much needed rest or even just an occasional time frame you need free from the responsibility of care giving. Is Private Duty Home Health Expensive? Home health care cost differs greatly depending on the individual case, but are usually much lower then the long-term care facility alternative. Often the costs are buffered or completely covered by a third party such as insurance. Additionally, home health care is billed on usage. This means that if you only use two hours of service, you are only billed for two hours, unlike a long term care facility, which bills around the clock whether care is being provided or not. Who Pays For These Services? Payment varies from individual to individual. We find that while some of our clients cover their expenses privately, others qualify - either wholly or in part - for coverage by their insurance companies. If this is all new to you and you aren't sure what your insurance policy covers, please don't hesitate to contact us for help. With more than 10 years experience processing claims to insurance companies, our office and management staff will be happy to take the time to help you through the process of getting started. Charges and costs are explained before services are rendered. If your insurance company covers private duty care, we will be happy to submit all claims to them for you at no cost to you. How Is The Billing Done? A Registered Nurse, who assists the family in determining what type of care will best meet the clients needs, performs an initial assessment including safety, medication management, nutritional and home needs. An initial deposit is collected and weekly billing of all services is provided so the client can stay on top of their expenses. All claims are filed with the insurance company weekly as well. Will Medicare Cover This Service? Medicare does not cover this type of care in which we specialize. Many of our clients require more assistance then is covered by Medicare or have needs not covered by the Medicare program. Are These Expenses Tax Deductible? According to the IRS you can include medicl expenses, wages and other amounts you pay for nursing services. This includes services connected with caring for the patient's condition, such as giving medication or changing dressings, as well as bathing and grooming the patient. Who Monitors The Care Giver? Although Douglas Health Services is staffed 24 hours a day by a Registered Nurse (RN) who is specially trained to identify potential hazards and dangers specific to your loved one's health care situation, our assurance of quality care really begins much earlier. By using skilled professionals in the assessment stage of getting you started, Douglas Health Services can effectively plan a health care approach, which is completely tailored to your needs. That, coupled with our thorough pre-employment screenings and discriminating hiring practices assures you and your loved one only the best care.
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