Often, the best place for care and recovery is at home. This is especially true for individuals with new or chronic conditions, or who may be too ill to travel to the hospital. Our team of compassionate experts can deliver short-term skilled care in the comfort and privacy of your or your loved one's own home. This includes:
- Wound care
- Infusion therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Education on your diagnosis, diet and medication
- Other skilled services as prescribed by your doctor
Home health services
Reviewed 6/13/2022
Home health care
True or false?
Each year, millions of people get skilled, professional healthcare services in their own homes. How much do you know about this important option for you or your loved ones?
Home health care can help people live independently for as long as possible.
True: The goal of home health care is to help people live independently, even with an illness or injury. Examples of home health care services include caring for wounds; giving injections or other medical treatments; monitoring an illness; and helping with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing and eating.
Your primary care team needs to be involved in creating a home care plan.
True: Your primary care provider starts, coordinates and monitors the home health care process. They write an order certifying your need for services. They can refer you to a qualified home health agency. Then an agency staffer will make an appointment to visit you at home and talk about your needs. Once care begins, your home health care team should communicate regularly with your primary care provider.
You need to be bedridden to qualify for Medicare coverage for home health services.
False: Medicare rules are broader than that. Your doctor has to confirm that your health makes it difficult to go out and keeps you “confined to home.” You can still be considered “confined to home” if you go to the doctor’s office, attend a religious service, go to a special event like a family reunion or take a walk around the block.
Home health care is always a temporary service.
False: While home health is sometimes needed during a brief period while someone recovers from an injury or illness, other people benefit from getting home health services on an ongoing basis.
Home care is a good option for everyone.
False: Whether or not home health is the right choice can depend on a variety of factors. For example, if you need frequent testing, breathing treatments or IV medications, a medical facility might be a better choice. Home care may also not be a good option if your home doesn’t have room for the medical equipment you need. Cost may also be a factor, depending on your insurance coverage.
Learn more about caregiving by taking our caregiving quiz.
Sources: American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation; Medicare; U.S. Administration on Aging
Recuperating from an illness or injury at home is made easier by:
- Skilled nursing care: During home visits, a nurse will check on your health; do dressing changes; educate you and your family on your medications, diet and diagnoses; and carry out the care plan your provider ordered. Registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you need them. Learn more about our skilled nursing care.
- Therapy: Our team includes physical, occupational and speech therapists.
- Home health aides: Our aides focus on helping the patient regain their independence by educating the patient and their family on medications, diagnosis and diet. Home health aides have the goal of getting patients to a place of needing less assistance.
Because we’re a hospital-based agency, your home health team has quick access to other medical specialists, if needed.
Do I qualify for home health care?
Home health services require a doctor referral. You may qualify if you:
- Cannot physically leave your home and are homebound
- Can be safely cared for at home
- Need the short-term skilled care of a registered nurse or physical therapist as a result of an injury, illness or surgery
- Need services from a home health professional on an intermittent basis or have family members or caregivers who can be taught to provide ongoing care
- Have Medicare
Home health referral information
A hospital discharge planner, a social worker, doctor or nurse can help arrange a referral. Intermittent home health services are prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, you or a family member can ask for an evaluation for home health care eligibility.
Most insurances pay for home health. This includes Medicare, medical insurance and private insurance. Grants and out-of-pockets payment can also be used.
A nurse or therapist will perform an evaluation visit to determine if you are eligible for services, as well as discuss your payment options.
Mercyhealth Home Health is non-for-profit, state licensed, and Medicare/Medicaid certified.
Contact us about home health services
In Jefferson, Rock or Walworth counties in Wisconsin, call 608.754.2201.
In Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and Ogle counties in Illinois, call 815.971.3550.