Home Health Care
Understand Charges and Policies
When researching a potential provider, request an itemized accounting of the agency’s charges — including whether there are likely to be added expenses for traveling to and from your home, or for overtime hours worked. And find out how often bills will be sent and to whom and whether you will be billed even if a service is not performed. Some agencies, for example, have minimum hourly charges for their services.
Also, find out the agency’s policies on matters such as those mentioned below.
Emergencies. Most will make a nurse available to handle questions in urgent situations when the office is not open, at least by phone, although many also provide personnel for urgent home visits.
Insurance and taxes. If the caregiver is an employee of the agency, find out if he or she is covered for workers’ compensation, Social Security coverage, tax withholdings, payroll taxes, Medicare, and medical and disability insurance. The agency usually covers these costs as part of its hourly rate, but if not, then the employee should be able to demonstrate proof of individual coverage.
Bond provisions. A bond will provide the client with some compensation if the caregivers steal money or property while on the job. Many companies are only insured for theft if it occurs in the agency offices and if they catch the employees in the act of stealing and report them to the police. A fidelity bond with extensions, however, would also provide coverage in the patient’s home.
Insurance. The agency should be covered for a minimum of $1 million in general liability and $3 million in professional liability.
Resolving problems. Be sure you understand the agency’s policies for resolving any disputes or problems that might arise.
