Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequently asked home health and hospice care questions
Deciding whether and when to start home health and hospice care can be a difficult decision. Explore answers to frequently asked questions below.
How are my health services covered?
Check with your medical insurance provider regarding coverage or call us today to learn more.
What is the difference between home health care and caregiving?
Home health care offers skilled medical care services in the comfort of your home. Services include nursing, therapy, and social work. On the other hand, caregiving services provide non-medical care to help people live independently. Caregiving services include companionship, light housekeeping, personal care, and assistance with activities of daily living.
What is the difference between a home health aide and a caregiver?
Our home health aides (also known as HHAs) are part of our home health care team and work directly under a nurse or therapist to provide bathing and personal care. Their in-home visits usually last about an hour. Caregivers are more like your loved ones personal assistant. Their visits last as long as you need, and can include non-medical care such as companionship, social activities, light housekeeping, pet care, and more. Our caregiving division even offers overnight and 24 hour care.
What is the difference between home health care and hospice care?
Home health care focuses on recovering from an illness, surgery, hospital stay, or health related incident. Hospice care focuses on providing pain management and comforting end-of-life care to individuals with a terminal prognosis.
Is home health care and hospice care covered by my insurance?
Yes. HealthFlex works with most major health insurance providers. Check with your medical insurance provider regarding coverage or call us today to learn more.
What types of skilled nursing care and therapy services will my insurance pay for?
Always check with your insurance regarding coverage in your specific case. Generally, healthcare plans may cover the following services delivered by trained health professionals:
- Care by registered nurses
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medical social services
- Nutrition counseling
How long will I receive your services?
The length of service is determined by your primary doctor and your insurer. In some cases, we help patients for only a relatively short time when they need support with recovery or transition home from a care facility. In other cases, we provide relatively long-term care to help people with serious and chronic conditions.
How are my health services covered?
Check with your medical insurance provider regarding coverage or call us today to learn more.
Do I need to change my doctor?
No. We work closely with your primary doctor to ensure you receive the help you need as specified in the doctor’s care plan. Our goal is to complement, not replace, your doctor.
Who will provide and pay for the supplies I may need?
Our HealthFlex care team can help you plan, order, and learn how to use any supplies you need. Payment is determined by the type of insurance coverage you have.
Can your office be reached after hours?
Yes, a member of our staff will always be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can I get advice from an on-call nurse?
Yes. If you or a family member ever has a question about your condition at a time when one of our nurses isn’t at your home delivering services, you can always get input from one of our on-call nurses.
How is my doctor involved in the treatment I receive at home?
We make sure to communicate with your doctor to inform him or her of the care you receive and any changes in your condition. If necessary, we will contact your primary doctor on your behalf to review any questions about your care. In addition, we welcome any questions, at any time, that your primary doctor or specialists may have for us. Clear, complete communication is always our goal.
Who can refer patients to your services?
We welcome self-referrals directly from patients and their families. HealthFlex also welcomes referrals from primary care doctors or specialists on your care team. We welcome referrals from hospitals, care centers, and clinics. In addition, we accept referrals from insurers. HealthFlex is committed to always being accessible to all referrals, regardless of the source.
Still have questions?
Use our patient inquiry form to contact us to get answers directly.