Do Home Care Services need a Physician Order?

Medicare Home Health Services vs Private Home Care Services.
Medicare Home Healthcare Requires a Physician’s Order. Home Health Care Services paid for by Medicare and some private insurance companies do require a Physician’s Order. Generally, after a serious health event, surgery or hospital stay, your Physician will prescribe Home Healthcare to be delivered by a Medicare Certified Agency. Medicare Services are prescribed for specific tasks and a specific period of time. The services include skilled care such as wound care and dressing changes. They can also include OT, PT and Speech Therapy. They need to be re-certified periodically by the Physician.
Private Home Care No Physician’s Order Required. If you need additional support, you will need Private Home Care which does not require a Physician’s Order. Private Home Care provides services such as:assistance with Activities of Daily Living (including assistance with transfers, bathing and medication reminders), shopping, errands, meal preparation, protective oversight or just companionship. Private Home Care provides a flexible model. McKenney Home Care provides services from 3 hours a day to 24/7 and even live in caregivers. The number of hours per week can change as your condition changes. None of this requires a Physicians Order. If you are using Long Term Care Insurance to pay for the private home care, a Physician will need to Certify at the Outset that you need assistance with a specified number of Activities of Daily Living. We are happy to assist you review your Long Term Care Insurance Policy to determine eligibility and we will also assist with filing the claims.