HEALTAHR TCARE
HOME HEALTH CARE:
YOU HAVE A CHOICE
By Rafael J. Sciullo
Rafael J. Sciullo
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 137
T here could be a time when you or
someone you love will need home
health care following surgery
or a hospital stay. Home health
care includes a wide range of services
provided in your home for an illness or
injury and is typically less expensive and
more convenient than receiving care in a
hospital or other facility. In 2018, nearly
5.5 million people received home health
through Medicare, Medicare Advantage
or Medicaid.
Home health care is a service ordered
by your physician following an illness or
injury that leaves you homebound and
requires that you need a “skilled level
of care.” This is care provided by skilled
nurses, physical therapists, occupational
therapists and/or speech therapists.
Some of the services a home health
care provider may offer include visits
from nurses and certified home health
nurse aides; wound care; physical,
occupational and/or speech therapies;
pain and symptom management;
infusions; and disease-related education
and management.
Although your doctor orders home
health care, it’s important to know that
you do have a choice when deciding on
a home health care provider. And it’s
especially important to know what things
to look for from a provider. Selecting a
home health provider for a loved one,
or for yourself, should follow some
important research.
A few of the most important things
to know when looking for a home
health care provider are: if the agency
is Medicare-certified; if the provider is
licensed by the state; if the agency has
any other accreditations or certifications;
what range of care the provider offers; if
the provider offers specific services like
physical or occupational therapy; and if
the agency includes the patient and his or
her family members when developing the
plan of care. It’s also good to know if the
provider’s caregivers are available 24/7;
who at the agency the patient or family
can contact with questions; and what the
communication expectations are between
the agency and a patient’s other providers.
Medicare-certified agencies are required
to coordinate the care the physician orders
for the patient with all the home health
professionals who are providing care.
This ensures everyone providing care
is working toward the same goal. When
researching home health care providers,
don’t be afraid to ask questions. If an
agency seems unwilling to answer your
questions, they’re probably not a good fit.
Empath Home Health is a proud
member of Empath Health, an integrated
network of care in the Tampa Bay area.
Through Suncoast Hospice, we have been
caring for people in their homes for more
than 42 years in Pinellas County. When
you enroll in Empath Home Health, you
are served by an entire team of experts
dedicated to your unique situation. Our
team members are trained in nursing care
and various therapies, as well as pain and
symptom management. We also offer
coaching and support for caregivers, as
we recognize it can be overwhelming to
balance caring for a loved one and tending
to your own needs. Empath Home Health
is Medicare-certified, licensed by the state
of Florida and Accredited by the Joint
Commission – the gold standard in health
care.
Choosing the best home health care is
an important decision. If you would like
to talk with us about our services, please
call us at (727) 523-2360. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is president
and CEO of Empath Health, a nonprofit
integrated network of care for those affected
by chronic or advanced illness. For more
information about services, call (727) 467-7423
or visit EmpathHealth.org.