be coordinated and supervised by the home
health care provider. These requirements
vary depending on the provider offering the
services, so ask the provider and your doctor
what to expect.
*not all agencies provide all services
Medical Home Health Agencies are required to
be licensed and inspected by the State of Florida.
Caregivers are required to have a background
check either through AHCA or FDLE.
NURSE REGISTRIES
Nurse registries arrange for nurses (RNs,
LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs),
Home Health Aides (HHA), or homemakers/
companions to provide services to patients in
their home or place of residence.
Each individual health care worker is contracted
with the registry. Nurse Registries provide nursing
care or homemaker/companion services, but they
are not licensed to provide physical, occupational,
respiratory, speech or IV therapy or medical
equipment services. They must be licensed by
the State of Florida and caregivers are required to
have a background check either through AHCA
or FDLE.
HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Products range from respirators, wheelchairs
and walkers, to catheter and wound care supplies.
These providers deliver and, install products as
well as instruct patients on their proper in-home
use. These providers usually do not provide
physical care for patients. Some offer pharmacy
and infusion services, where a nurse administers
medication and nutritional formulas to patients
and teaches them the proper techniques for
self-administration. Some providers also offer
respiratory therapy services. Providers that bill the
Medicare program are required to meet federal
minimum standards. Each provider is liable for its
personnel and the services provided to patients.
Providers must be licensed by the State of Florida
by AHCA.
INDEPENDENT HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS
Although not administered by AHCA, an
individual health care professional may provide
health care services in the home, within the scope
of his or her state license or registration and/or
training. Health care professionals can include
registered nurses (RNs); licensed practical nurses
(LPNs); physical, occupational, respiratory, and
speech therapists; certified nursing assistants
(CNAs); home health aides; and homemakers/
companions. If you employ an independent
health care professional, you should ask who will
be responsible to pay household employment,
income withholding and unemployment taxes.
If he or she does not pay these taxes, you may
be required to pay.
More Info Online
PolkElderCare.com
More on Home Care:
• Need to Find an Agency?
• Printable “Questions to Ask” Worksheet
www.PolkElderCare.com 39