by Luanne Kadlub
Choosing a home health care provider is like choosing any other service – you need to do your research and take your time to find the one that best suits you and your needs.
Begin your search by checking out BBB Business Reviews for any company you’re considering. You’ll learn how long the company has been in business and if there’s a pattern of complaints.
Questions to ask:
• Does the provider supply literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding sources? Many providers furnish patients with a detailed “Patient Bill of Rights” that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the providers, patients and caregivers alike.
• Are nurses or therapists required to evaluate the patient’s home care needs? If so, what does this entail? Do they consult the patient’s physicians and family members?
• Does the provider include the patient and his or her family members in developing the plan of care? Are they involved in making care plan changes?
• Is the patient’s course of treatment documented, detailing the specific tasks to be carried out by each professional caregiver? Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan, and do the caregivers update it as changes occur? Does this provider take time to educate family members on the care being administered to the patient?
• Does the provider assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in their homes? If so, how often do these individuals make visits? Who can the patient and his or her family members call with questions or complaints? How does the agency follow up on and resolve problems?
• Does the provider furnish written statements explaining all of the costs and payment plan options associated with home care?
• How will the provider handle emergencies?
Start With Trust. For more consumer tips and information, visit bbb.org.
~ Luanne Kadlub, Communications Editor, BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming. 970-488-2044, Toll Free: 800-564-0370 Ext. 135, wynco.bbb.org Start With Trust®. 8020 S. County Road 5, Ste. 100, Fort Collins, CO 80528.