Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Ahmad Shahzad
There appears to be plenty of information accessible concerning home care services, but it’s worth noting how frequently specialized home health care and non-medical home care are misunderstood. People sometimes confuse both of these terms, whether they are laymen or experts because they have similar connotations. Some authors even use the terms interchangeably. In this article, we will understand some of the key contrasts between these two.
Medical Home Care
Who provides it?
Skilled home health care is almost always delivered by Medicare-certified businesses and is covered by both Medicare and private health insurance companies. Intermittent visits by qualified experts, typically a nurse and/or a rehabilitative therapy professional (physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy), are provided. Visits are scheduled infrequently over a short period of time, usually starting after a hospital or nursing home release. A home care aide may come once or twice a week to provide in-home support with personal care, such as bathing, in addition to skilled services.
Who pays for it?
Medicare pays for skilled home health care. However, the following conditions need to be met
1) The services must be prescribed by a physician;
2) The patient must be homebound, loosely defined criteria
3) Must be delivered by a Medicare-certified home health agency
4) The patient must require the services of one or more of the professions listed above as certified by a doctor.
Who qualifies for it?
The qualifying criteria and insurance coverage for in home care health have particular implications that are not usually communicated. Therefore consumers should be aware of it. To begin with, patients and their families rarely have a chance to choose which agency they want. The doctor, in collaboration with the hospital or nursing home, will make that decision.
Sure, if a patient has had previous experience with home health care, he or she can voice a preference for a specific provider, but this is uncommon in practice. Fortunately, through the Home Health Compare database, Medicare has begun to make comparison information available on the internet. Because it allows patients and families to acquire timely information within the short time window allowed by discharge planning, this may help to shift some authority back to the consumer over time.
Here’s a rundown of the major characteristics of skilled home health care:
- A doctor’s prescription is required.
- Nurses, therapists, and social workers are the available professions.
- The patient must be confined to their home.
- A Medicare-certified agency does the work.
- Visit frequency and duration of services are limited.
- Typically, the consumer is not in command.
- There isn’t a consistent presence in the house.
- Medicare or health insurance coverage
- Providers paid by the episode of care
- Accountability to doctor and insurer (Medicare), not just patients
Non-Medical Home Care
Non-medical home care is entirely a different concept. Companies that provide in-home caregiver services hire unskilled workers known as certified nurse aides, home caregivers, home companions, and other designations.
Personal care support, such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and mobility aid, as well as general companionship, safety supervision, and different home activities, are among the services provided by caregivers.
Each visit is usually several hours long, and many severely disabled people require round-the-clock or live-in care. Non-medical home care is a concept that can be conceived of as assisted living at home. Because non-medical home care is consumer-controlled, the care recipient is frequently referred to as a client. This form of home care is usually always paid out of pocket or through long-term care insurance unless the client satisfies the low-income criteria to qualify for Medicaid. Clients choose the care provider and have the option to fire them if they are dissatisfied.
Here are some of the reasons that make non-medical home care different
There is no need for a doctor’s prescription.
- Companions, nurse aides, and caretakers in the home
- It makes no difference whether the client is housebound or not.
- An agency doesn’t need to be Medicare-certified.
- Client and family select the length of visits and duration of care.
- The consumer is in charge.
- The service revolves around maintaining a consistent presence: “assisted living in one’s own house”
- Medicare and health insurance do not cover this.
- Hourly or daily payment
Aspire In-Home provides 24 hour home care services to its clients in both split shifts and live-in options. For details call or visit https://www.aspireinhomecare.com.
Understanding the Pros and Cons of Medical and Non-Medical Home Care
When it comes to home care services, it’s important to understand the differences between medical and non-medical home care. Medical home care is typically provided by Medicare-certified businesses and is covered by Medicare and private health insurance companies. It involves visits by qualified experts, such as nurses and rehabilitative therapy professionals, and is typically scheduled infrequently over a short period of time. On the other hand, non-medical home care is consumer-controlled, with clients selecting the length of visits and duration of care. Non-medical home care is paid out of pocket or through long-term care insurance.
One of the benefits of medical home care is that it is covered by Medicare, but it can be difficult for patients to choose which agency they want to work with. Non-medical home care, on the other hand, allows the consumer to be in charge, with the client selecting the caregiver and having the option to fire them if they are dissatisfied.
Both medical and non-medical home care have their advantages and disadvantages. Medical home care is typically more specialized and can be a good option for patients who require skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Non-medical home care, on the other hand, is focused on maintaining a consistent presence in the home and providing personal care support, such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and mobility aid.
It’s important to understand the differences between medical and non-medical home care before deciding which option is best for you or your loved one. Medical home care may be covered by insurance, but it can be difficult to choose an agency.
Read more: Here’s How You Can Help Your Senior Adjust To Home Care
