"Home care" refers to the full range of health care and social services available to people in the privacy of their own home. Home care services are provided by licensed and supervised professionals.
Typical services include nursing; physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapies; medical social work; home health aide and personal care; dietary consultation; meal preparation and homemaking; and hospice care.
Home care is for persons of any age who require professional health care or supportive assistance in their homes. This includes people with an acute illness, those recovering from an injury or surgery, and those with long-term chronic health conditions, a permanent disability, or a terminal illness. A nurse or therapist determines what type of service and home care worker is necessary during the first assessment visit.
More than 700 licensed home care providers are in Minnesota, including professional (Class A) home care agencies, as well as paraprofessional agencies, individual paraprofessionals, hospice, and assisted living programs.
State law requires a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) license if an organization or individual is regularly engaged in the delivery of home care services for a fee. Home care may also be provided by county public health nursing services, hospital-based home care agencies, nursing home-based programs, or freestanding, private organizations.
How do I find home care services?
Finding the best home care agency for your needs requires research, but it is time well spent. Medicare pays for limited home care; Medical Assistance and some county programs also pay for home care. Increasingly, home care is paid for by private insurance and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and is always available on a private pay basis.
How do I locate home care agencies in my community?
Start by consulting with your doctor, a hospital discharge planner, nursing home social worker, or your county's community health department.
Call the Minnesota HomeCare Association, (651) 635-0607 or (866) 607-0607, for names of home care agencies near your home. Visit their website at www.mnhomecare.orgto find a local provider or e-mail your questions to
Contact the Minnesota Department of Health, (651) 201-5000 (toll-free (888) 345-0823), for a list of licensed providers serving your county.
Check community resources such as the Senior LinkAge Line, (800) 333-2433.
Check the yellow pages under "home health services."
Contact your place of worship for recommendations.
How do I choose a home care agency?
When selecting a home care provider ask about their services, as well as their reputation. Here are some questions for home care agencies and community leaders:
Is the agency licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)?
Is it certified by Medicare? Even if care will not be paid for by Medicare, Medicare-certification is one measure of quality. It means that the agency has met federal minimum requirements. An agency's Medicare report is public information.
Also ask if an agency is accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process conducted by non-profit trade organizations. Most hospital-affiliated home care programs are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. A few home care agencies are accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program. Not participating in Medicare or a voluntary accreditation program does not imply that an agency provides poor care. You must consider all factors before making a decision.
How long has the agency been serving the community? What services does the agency provide? Does the agency help educate clients and their families to do all they can on their own?
Does the agency provide written statements describing its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources? Minnesota consumers must receive a copy of the "Home Care Bill of Rights" when engaging an agency for services.
How does an agency choose and train employees? What are the qualifications of the agency's director, supervisors, and the caregivers? If an agency is state licensed and/or Medicare certified, there are minimum employee competency requirements.
Does a registered nurse or therapist conduct an evaluation of your needs in the home? What is included? Consultations with family members, with the patient's physician? How soon can service begin?
Is the plan of care written out for you to review? Does it include specific duties to be performed and by whom, at what intervals and for how long? Does the plan provide for the family to understand the care? What arrangements are made for emergencies?
What are the financial arrangements? Will they be in writing, including any minimum hour or day requirements and any extra charges that may be added on? Are you eligible for services under Medicare, Medical Assistance, or other government programs? What arrangements are made if your reimbursement sources are exhausted?
The cost of services will vary with each agency and community. Costs may cover not only the time spent in your home, but also required documentation, transportation to and from the home, and administrative costs such as supervision, competency evaluation, training, state and federal regulatory compliance, employee benefits, and insurance.
Does the agency send supervisors to visit your home for regular evaluations?
Whom do you call with questions or complaints? Are your questions followed up and resolved?
What if a problem develops?
If you have a problem or complaint, notify these individuals and organizations:
The home care agency's director.
The State Health Department's Office of Health Facility Complaints at (651) 201-4201 or (800) 369-7994.
The state's Office of Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans at (651) 431-2555 or (800) 657-3591.
Medicare beneficiaries may address questions or complaints about quality of home health care to Stratis Health at (952) 853-1818 or (800) 444-3423.
In Minnesota, you can expect to receive quality care in your home. Whether short or long-term care, Minnesotans of all ages can receive health care and supportive services where they want and need them the most - at home.
This article was prepared by the Minnesota Home Care Association of St. Paul.
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