Choosing the right home health agency is a major decision. Before you select a home health agency, it is important to know all the facts. The following is a list of questions that can help you select the home health agency that best suits your needs.

Questions to Ask a Home Health Agency

• How many years has your agency been in business?
• Do you offer printed material describing your services?
• Are you an approved Medicare provider?
• Are you licensed by the state?
• Do you employ all of your own staff (nurses, therapists, etc.)?
• Do you contract out any services to other agencies?
  
• Do you provide patients with a "Bill of Rights"?
• Is there a written plan of care for the patient's treatment?
• Who participates in developing this plan of care?
• Is this plan updated over the course of the treatment?
• Does the patient get a copy?
• Is the patient's course of treatment documented?
• Are supervisors assigned to oversee care?
  
• Do you provide caregiver education and training?
• Do you have a nursing supervisor on call?
• Do you ensure patient confidentiality? How?
• How are your employees hired and trained?
• Do you require criminal record background checks?
• Who can I call with questions or complaints?
• What is the procedure for resolving complaints?
• What happens if your staff misses a scheduled visit?
• How do you handle billing?
• Will you provide a list of references if requested?
• Do you provide pre-admission assessments?

According to Federal law, home health patients are free to choose which agency will provide their home health services.

Section 1802 of the Social Security Act "seeks to ensure that free choice is guaranteed to all Medicare Patients." The law states: "Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this title (i.e., Medicare) may obtain health services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to participate under this title if such institution, agency, or person undertakes to provide him such services." This statement gives patients freedom to choose whom they want as their provider of post-hospital and in-home services.

So if your doctor recommends home health for you or a loved one, be sure to ask for Universal Home Health!