Home Health vs. Personal Care
Skilled home health services involve clinical care provided by or under qualified healthcare professionals. Personal care focuses on assistance with activities of daily living and other authorized routine supports.
PATIENT & FAMILY RESOURCES
Understanding Home Health and Community-Based Care.
Different services have different eligibility, clinical, authorization, and staffing requirements.
Plans of Care
Medical home health services may require orders and a clinical plan of care. Waiver and community services generally rely on person-centered planning and service authorization.
Reporting Changes
Patients, participants, families, and staff should communicate significant changes in health, behavior, mobility, medication routines, safety, or functioning so the appropriate team member can respond.
Emergency Care
Home care does not replace emergency medical services. Call 911 for a medical emergency or follow the individual’s established emergency plan.
Service Authorization
Medicaid waiver and other payer-funded services may require eligibility, assessment, prior authorization, provider enrollment, and an approved plan before services begin.
Choosing the Right Service
Our office can explain the difference between nursing, HHA, PCA, respite, companion, residential, day, and in-home support categories so families know what questions to ask.