Choosing a medically intensive home healthcare agency
There are a number of important factors you should consider when choosing medically intensive nursing services for your loved one in a home setting. The questions below will help you figure out which agency is right for you.
With a reputation built on the quality of care provided by our nurses, New Care is the premier medically intensive home health provider in Western Washington, and the only accredited by the prestigious Joint Commission. If you are considering New Care, we are happy to answer all your questions to help you decide whether we are a good fit for your needs. Please contact us.
Credentials and nursing staff
- How long has the agency been serving the community?
- Is the agency licensed, certified and accredited to meet basic standards, particularly for personnel, supervision, and accountability? In Washington, agencies must be licensed by the state through accrediting bodies such as Medicare, Medicaid and/or independent accrediting bodies (i.e., The Joint Commission on Accreditation of HealthCare Organizations, CHAP – Community Health Accreditation Program).
- Does the agency offer the medical expertise that you need? How long has the agency been providing this type of care?
- Who owns the agency? Is it a local company that can respond quickly to your needs?
- How does the agency choose its employees? How are the nurses oriented and trained? Does the agency treat its nursing staff with the same respect as its clients?
Fees, services and reimbursement policies
- Does the agency provide written statements regarding its services, fees (including any minimum hour/day requirements and any extra charges), eligibility requirements, and funding sources?
- Are there extra charges for home assessments, telephone calls, co-pays, etc.? If so, who pays for these?
- What services and equipment does the agency provide? Can the agency provide all the services and equipment that you need or does it contract with other companies for medical equipment or other services? If so, does the agency coordinate these services for you? Is there an extra cost? Are these services covered under your reimbursement source(s)?
- Is the agency eligible to receive reimbursement from your funding sources? Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance companies reimburse home health agencies for their services.
Other policies and procedures
- Does a nurse or therapist conduct an evaluation of your needs at home? What is included?
- Is there a written client-specific care plan? Does it include specific duties to be performed? Who performs these duties? At what intervals and for how long? Can you review the plan?
- Does the agency have a formal statement addressing the rights of the client? If so, does it describe the agency’s policies and client care philosophy?
Quality of care assurances
- Will agency supervisors visit your home and evaluate the quality of care regularly? How often?
- Whom do you call with questions and complaints? How are problems resolved? Is this done in a timely manner?
- What arrangements are made for emergencies and transportation? Can you reach someone at the agency any time, 24 hours a day?
Finding an agency
To find home health care agencies in your community, we recommend the following:
- Ask your doctor, hospital discharge planners or hospital nurses for a referral.
- Contact the Washington State Department of Health for a list of state licensed agencies.