WHO NEEDS HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES?
* Are you unable to meet your own needs due to health, age, or social problems?
* Are you over-stressed taking care of a family member who can no longer care for him/herself?
*Are you missing work or ignoring your immediate family to care for a loved one?
*Are you homebound, lonely, frightened, or depressed?
*Do you need assistance getting groceries or going to appointments?
*Do you need a time of respite and renewal while someone else provides professional, caring attention to your loved one?
If you answer yes to any of these, you may need some additional help.
HOW TO CHOOSE A HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE, NOT JUST AN AGENCY!
Are you or a loved one in need of home health care? There are a lot of problems out there, and just as all brochures are not alike, neither are home health care companies.
Finding a company that meets your needs can be time consuming and tiresome. If the patient is in the hospital, talk with the professional social work staff and discharge planner. If the patient is at home, seek help through community services. If the patient has a specific health care problem, look for services through the appropriate community organization (Office for Aging or Alzheimer's Association, for example).
Remembering that all home care companies are not alike:
- Look for companies that are established.
- Ask about the types of insurance the company carries.
- Be sure the company specializes in home health care services and is not merely a division of a temporary help service.
- Is the company licensed?
- What certifications, accreditations, or affiliations does the company have?
- What services are available?
- Ask about the management of the company.
- Ask if the company has, and follows, established and documented standards.
- Ask how often a supervisory nurse visits the patient. Is there any charge?
- Don't judge the service by price alone.
- How is payment made?
- How are emergencies handled?
- Ask about Patient's Rights.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions.
We all have a responsibility in the health care industry. AmeriCare's is to provide professional home health care services of the highest quality and to maintain that level on a constant basis. Your responsibility is to judiciously use only those companies that meet your high standards.
One phone call to our office is all it takes. Our Staffing Supervisor will make an initial screen of the type of care needed. Then our Clinical Director provides a FREE professional evaluation and assessment to be sure the patient receives the proper level of care. Also, we're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The AmeriCare office keeps all your paperwork to a minimum. You receive one easy-to-read, weekly invoice and we coordinate any other required documentation. AmeriCare accepts all kinds of insurance and other third party payment. If your health insurance covers home care, we'll even work with the insurance company to minimize problems and speed payments.
AmeriCare also has a wide base of contractual relationships for other third-party payment, including Medicaid, VNA's, Health Departments, Office for Aging, and Hospice. If your care is covered by any of these agencies, all you need to do is ask for AmeriCare.
The patient has the right to be informed of these rights, and the right to exercise such rights, in writing, at the time of admission, as evidenced by written documentation in the clinical record.
The patient has the right to receive a written statement of services available by AmeriCare and the related charges.
The patient has the right to be advised before care is initiated of the extent to which payment for AmeriCare's services may be expected from any third party payers and the extent to which payment may be required from the patient.
a) AmeriCare will advise the patient of any changes in information provided under this paragraph or paragraph (2) of this subdivision as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days from the date AmeriCare becomes aware of this change;
b) all information required by this paragraph will be provided to the patient both orally and in writing.The patient has the right to be informed of all services AmeriCare is to provide, when and how services will be provided, and the name and functions of any person and affiliated agency providing care and services.
The patient has the right to participate in the planning of his or her care and be advised in advance of any changes to the plan of care.
The patient has the right to refuse treatment after being fully informed of and understanding the consequences of such actions.
The patient has the right to be informed of the procedures for submitting patient complaints.
The patient has the right to voice complaints and recommend changes in policies and services to AmeriCare's staff, the NYS Department of Health or any outside representative of the patient's choice. The expression of such complaints by the patient or his/her designee will be free from interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal.
The patient has the right to submit complaints about the care and service provided or not provided and complaints concerning lack of respect for property by anyone furnishing service on behalf of AmeriCare, to be informed of the procedure for filing such complaints, and to have AmeriCare investigate such complaints as specified in subdivision (j) of Section 766.1 of part 766 of the Public Health Law. AmeriCare is also responsible for notifying the patient, or his/her designee, that if the patient is not satisfied by the response, the patient may complain to the New York State Department of Health's Office of Health Systems Management.
The patient has the right to be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of his/her dignity and individuality.
The patient has the right to privacy, including confidential treatment of patient records, and to refuse release of records to any individual outside AmeriCare, except in the case of the patient's transfer to a health care facility, or as required by law or third party payment contract.
AmeriCare's Board of Directors will make personnel providing patient care services aware of the rights of patients and the responsibility of personnel to protect and promote the exercise of such rights.
If a patient lacks capacity to exercise these rights, the rights will be exercised by an individual, guardian, or entity legally authorized to represent the patient.
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR)
New York State Hospice Association
New York State Association of Health Care Providers (NYSHCP)
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
National Association of Home Care (NAHC)
National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
The Independent Professional Staffing Society (TIPSS)
Copyright @ 1997 AmeriCare
