Still Have Questions?

Every patient's situation is different. If you're unsure whether home health, Home Health Aide, PAS, or another service is right for you or your loved one, contact Carekal Health to discuss your needs and available options.

About Home Health

What is home health?

Home health provides healthcare services in the comfort of a patient's home. Depending on the patient's needs, services may include skilled nursing, therapy, wound care, medication support, and other services designed to support recovery, safety, and independence.

Who can benefit from home health?

Home health may benefit patients who need continued healthcare services at home because of an illness, injury, recovery needs, or other medical conditions. Eligibility depends on the patient's individual needs and applicable requirements.

What does “homebound” mean?

A patient is considered "homebound" if leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort due to an illness or injury, and they meet specific two-part criteria:

Criterion 1 (Need for Help or Medical Restriction): The patient must either need supportive devices (like crutches, a cane, a wheelchair, or a walker), special transportation, or the assistance of another person to leave home—or have a medical condition where leaving the home is explicitly inadvisable or contraindicated. Criterion 2 (Normal Inability / Taxing Effort): There must be a normal inability for the patient to leave home, meaning that departures require a considerable and taxing amount of effort.

How do I qualify for home health?

A patient may qualify when they have a medical need for care at home and meet applicable eligibility and homebound requirements. A physician or other allowed practitioner must establish the appropriate plan of care.

How long will I need home health?

The length of home health services depends on your health needs, progress, and plan of care. Your care needs are reviewed regularly, and the plan of care is generally reassessed and recertified every 8 weeks, with the required physician review and approval.

Are home health professionals qualified?

Yes. Home health professionals are trained and qualified to provide care based on each patient's individual needs. Carekal Health's professionals have the appropriate skills, training, and certifications to provide safe and patient-centered care in the home.

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Getting Started

Do I need a doctor's order?

For home health services, an appropriate physician or allowed-practitioner order and plan of care are required. PAS follows a different admission process and does not require a doctor's order according to Carekal Health's current service process.

What forms will I need to sign?

Depending on your services, you may be asked to complete admission and treatment consent forms, patient rights information, HIPAA/privacy documentation, and a financial responsibility agreement when applicable.

How do I get started with Carekal Health?

The process typically begins with a referral and an assessment of your healthcare needs. Carekal Health reviews the referral and insurance information, coordinates with your healthcare provider as needed, and develops an appropriate plan of care.

What is the admission process?

For home health, the process generally includes receiving the appropriate referral and medical order, verifying insurance eligibility, completing a clinical assessment, and establishing the plan of care.

What do I need to prepare for admission?

Please have your valid identification, insurance information, and basic patient information available. Carekal Health can coordinate with your primary care provider or facility for required orders and referral information.

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Insurance & Payment

Will I receive a bill?

If there is a patient financial responsibility, you may receive a bill. For patients using insurance, Carekal Health submits claims to the applicable insurance plan, and we will communicate any applicable patient responsibility or non-covered services.

How much does home health cost?

The cost depends on the type of service and the amount of care needed. For HHA $25-$32 per hour, minimum 4 hours. PAS rate starts at $21-$24/hr min 4 hours. SN, wound care, IV infusion ranges from $45- $125 per visit, OT/PT/ST is at $95 -$120 per session. All rates are exclusive of taxes. Contact Carekal Health for current rates based on your specific needs.

Does Carekal Health accept Medicaid?

Yes. Medicaid patients may qualify for home health services when they meet applicable Medicaid eligibility, medical-necessity, and service requirements. Depending on the service, prior authorization may also be required.

Does insurance cover a Home Health Aide?

Some insurance plans may cover Home Health Aide services when the patient meets the plan's requirements. Coverage should be verified with the insurance plan before services begin.

Will my insurance cover home health?

Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan and the services you need. Carekal Health can verify eligibility and benefits, but authorization does not necessarily guarantee that every service or claim will be covered in full.

What if I don't have insurance?

Carekal Health accepts private pay patients. Available services and payment arrangements are discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment plans may be available for uninsured patients on a case-by-case basis. Any payment arrangement will be documented through a signed financial agreement.

Do you accept long-term care insurance?

Carekal Health may provide services covered by long-term care insurance. Coverage varies by policy, so eligibility and benefits should be verified before services begin.

Do you accept Workers' Compensation?

Carekal Health may accept eligible Workers' Compensation cases. Eligibility, required approvals, and coverage must be verified before services begin.

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Services & Visits

Can I receive IV therapy at home?

For home health services, an appropriate physician or allowed-practitioner order and plan of care are required. PAS follows a different admission process and does not require a doctor's order according to Carekal Health's current service process.

How often are wound care visits?

Depending on your services, you may be asked to complete admission and treatment consent forms, patient rights information, HIPAA/privacy documentation, and a financial responsibility agreement when applicable.

What services does Carekal Health provide?

The process typically begins with a referral and an assessment of your healthcare needs. Carekal Health reviews the referral and insurance information, coordinates with your healthcare provider as needed, and develops an appropriate plan of care.

How long does a visit usually last?

Please have your valid identification, insurance information, and basic patient information available. Carekal Health can coordinate with your primary care provider or facility for required orders and referral information.

How often will a nurse visit?

For home health, the process generally includes receiving the appropriate referral and medical order, verifying insurance eligibility, completing a clinical assessment, and establishing the plan of care.

How are my visits scheduled?

For home health, the process generally includes receiving the appropriate referral and medical order, verifying insurance eligibility, completing a clinical assessment, and establishing the plan of care.

Can I travel while receiving home health?

For home health, the process generally includes receiving the appropriate referral and medical order, verifying insurance eligibility, completing a clinical assessment, and establishing the plan of care.

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Home Health vs. Home Care

What does a PAS caregiver do?

PAS caregivers provide non-clinical assistance with daily living needs, which may include personal care, meal preparation, companionship, safety supervision, and light housekeeping.

What is the difference between home health and home care?

Home health generally involves healthcare services provided by qualified healthcare professionals to address medical or rehabilitation needs.

Home care generally provides non-medical assistance with daily activities, such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, safety supervision, and light housekeeping.

What does a Home Health Aide do?

A Home Health Aide may assist patients with appropriate personal care and daily activities based on the patient's care plan and needs.

What is the difference between HHA and PAS?

Home Health Aide (HHA) services are provided as part of home health care and address appropriate patient care needs under the applicable plan of care.

Personal Assistance Services (PAS) focus on non-clinical assistance with daily activities, such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, safety supervision, and light housekeeping.

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Family & Caregiver Support

What if I need additional help at home?

If your needs change, your healthcare provider can reassess your condition and determine whether additional services may be appropriate. Carekal Health can coordinate with the healthcare provider and insurance plan when additional services or authorization are needed.

Can my family participate in my care?

Yes. Family members and caregivers can play an important role in a patient's recovery and ongoing care. Carekal Health may provide education and training to help families support their loved one's care and safety at home.

Can Carekal Health provide caregiver education?

Yes. Education and training may be provided to patients, families, and caregivers to help them understand and safely participate in the patient's care.

How will my family receive updates?

Carekal Health communicates with patients and authorized family members or caregivers as appropriate. Communication may take place through phone, text, email, and available care-management tools.

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Patient Rights

What are my rights as a home health patient?

Patients have the right to receive information about their services, participate in their care, ask questions, and voice concerns or complaints without fear of retaliation.

Can I choose my home health agency?

Yes. Patients may choose their preferred home health agency, subject to applicable insurance and eligibility requirements. You may tell your primary care provider which agency you prefer and request that the referral be sent to that agency.

How can I report a concern or complaint?

You have the right to express concerns or complaints about the services you receive without fear of retaliation. We encourage patients and families to communicate concerns so they can be addressed appropriately.

Can I switch home health agencies?

Patients may request to change agencies. The transition should be coordinated with the patient's healthcare providers and current agency, and proper discharge and admission procedures must be followed.

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Hospital & Transition of Care

When is home health discontinued?

Yes. When hospice becomes appropriate, the transition can be coordinated among the patient's physician, home health agency, hospice provider, patient, and family. The appropriate physician order and coordination are required.

What happens if I am admitted to the hospital?

Carekal Health should be notified as soon as possible if you are admitted to the hospital. Your home health services may be affected by the hospitalization, and care will be coordinated as appropriate following your discharge.

Can I transition from home health to hospice?

Your hospital or care-transition team should be informed about the home health services you need. A new referral and appropriate orders may be required to coordinate continued services at home.

How does Carekal help after a hospital stay?

Carekal Health can support the transition from the hospital or facility back to home through coordinated nursing care, therapy, and communication with the healthcare team.

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Still Have Questions?

Every patient's situation is different. If you're unsure whether home health, Home Health Aide, PAS, or another service is right for you or your loved one, contact Carekal Health to discuss your needs and available options.

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