November is National Home Care Month. The purpose of home care is to keep people in their homes, near their families and in their communities for as long as possible. Home health care can provide a range of services including wound care, therapy, rehabilitative services following surgery and home infusion of drugs.
Home medical care is far less expensive than assisted living or long-term care and is covered by most insurance plans. Private insurance providers, such as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and government policies like Medicare and Medicaid cover home health care from certified agencies. Most insurance plans require a prior authorization/prior approval before care is given as well as a treatment plan signed off by a doctor.
The Rehabilitation Therapists from Veterans Memorial Hospital will also provide “in-home” therapy to people in need of this service. Therapy in the home is covered under Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance, such as Humana.
