Medicare Requirements for Home Health Care
- Must be eligible for Medicare Part A benefits
- Must be under the care of a physician
- Must be homebound (lack the normal ability to leave home without assistance)*
- Poor Disease Management in the Home
- Increasing Medical Costs
- Must require the intermittent skills of a Physical Therapist, Skilled Nurse, Speech Therapist, or Occupational Therapist)
*The Home Care Agency is ultimately responsible for providing the necessary documentation of homebound status to Medicare. This is assessed upon admission to home care and validated with the physician.
Which Of The Patients Under Your Care Could Benefit From A Home Healthcare Referral?
- Patients who are experiencing generalized weakness or debility
- Patients who have an unsteady gait or who are reporting falls at home
- Patients who need a home exercise program
- Post-Surgical patients
- Patients with a new diagnosis or new medication regime
- Patients who have recently been hospitalized or who are frequently going to emergency rooms/hospitals
- Patients who would benefit from an in-home assessment of their environment, learning needs, medication compliance, and family support structure.
- Patients and families who need education on disease, symptoms, medication, nutrition, or pain management in the home
With the continuing shift from hospital to home-based care, even for acutely ill patients, we are now able to obtain lab work and X-rays in the home. Physical Therapy may be started in the home before transitioning to outpatient therapy when the patient is no longer homebound.
IV therapy in the home is very prevalent. Skilled nurses can visit or call acutely ill or recently discharged patients daily, with your order, to do a physical assessment and call you with updates and for further orders. Patients treated at home are generally less confused, less anxious, less depressed, and are not put at risk for hospital or nursing home acquired infections.
ALPHA Home Physical Therapy, Inc.
8130 South Meridian Street, Suite #3
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Phone: 317-888-4033
Fax: 317-888-4018
Toll Free: 1-877-886-6860
