Choosing a Home Care Provider
Here are some key questions to ask home care providers to learn about their services as well as their reputations. Consider their answers when making a decision on which provider is best for you.
1. How long has the agency been serving the community?
Length of service can be a measure of stability and reliability.
2. Is the agency certified by Medicare? The fact that an agency is Medicare-certified is one measure of quality, because it means that the agency has met federal minimum requirements.
3. Is the agency licensed?
4. Are the agency's caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
5. What are the agency's procedures for handling emergencies?
6. Does the agency provide written statements describing its services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding sources? Often, an annual report will provide useful information about the agency.
7. Does the agency assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care being delivered in the home?
8. What other procedures does the agency use to ensure the quality of care?
9. How does an agency choose and train its employees?
10. Does it protect its workers with written personnel policies and malpractice insurance?
11. Does an agency nurse or therapist conduct an in-home evaluation of the patient's needs?
12. What is included in the evaluation and who is consulted (patient's family, physician)?
13. Is the patient's plan of care written out with specific information about the duties of each professional caregiver?
14. Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan of treatment?
15. Whom do you call at the agency with questions or complaints?
16. How are problems resolved?
17. Does the agency provide written materials that explain the costs and what services you will receive?
Here are some key questions to ask home care providers to learn about their services as well as their reputations. Consider their answers when making a decision on which provider is best for you.
1. How long has the agency been serving the community?
Length of service can be a measure of stability and reliability.
2. Is the agency certified by Medicare? The fact that an agency is Medicare-certified is one measure of quality, because it means that the agency has met federal minimum requirements.
3. Is the agency licensed?
4. Are the agency's caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
5. What are the agency's procedures for handling emergencies?
6. Does the agency provide written statements describing its services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding sources? Often, an annual report will provide useful information about the agency.
7. Does the agency assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care being delivered in the home?
8. What other procedures does the agency use to ensure the quality of care?
9. How does an agency choose and train its employees?
10. Does it protect its workers with written personnel policies and malpractice insurance?
11. Does an agency nurse or therapist conduct an in-home evaluation of the patient's needs?
12. What is included in the evaluation and who is consulted (patient's family, physician)?
13. Is the patient's plan of care written out with specific information about the duties of each professional caregiver?
14. Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan of treatment?
15. Whom do you call at the agency with questions or complaints?
16. How are problems resolved?
17. Does the agency provide written materials that explain the costs and what services you will receive?
