FAQs
1. What is home health care?
Home health care is a type of care that is administered in the comfort of one's own home. Nurses and therapists will come to a person's home on a schedule predetermined by their needs and upon recommendation of their doctor.
2. How do I know if I need home health care?
- Are you homebound?
- Have you been diagnosed with a new illness?
- Have your medications changed recently?
- Has your medical condition changed recently?
- Do you require therapy services?
- Do you need skilled nursing services?
- Would you rather be cared for in your home than a nursing home?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, home health care may benefit you.
3. What if I live in an assisted living or independent living facility, can I still get home health care?
Yes, you can receive home health care at an assisted living or independent living facility since that is considered your home.
4. How can I get First Choice Home Health to treat me at home?
Just give us a call. We are happy to help you get the services you need. If you have a surgery planned, or other anticipated needs, we can even get the ball rolling ahead of time.
5. How do I pay for home health care?
Home health care is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies. Call us at (406) 551-2273 so we can help you determine if you are eligible to receive home health care.
6. What’s the difference between home health care and having a private duty nurse or caregiver come to my home?
The table below outlines the differences between home health care and private duty nursing/personal care services.
First Choice Home Health Services at a Glance
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Home Health - Skilled Care
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Private Duty Nursing
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Patient is required to be homebound* (see related box)
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Yes
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No
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Visit times and length determined by patient
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No
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Yes
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Agency will bill medical insurance
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Yes
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No
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Agency will bill long term care policy
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No (not applicable for home health)
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Yes (if applicable)
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Agency will bill patient privately
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Yes (if no medical insurance)
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Yes
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Must have doctor’s orders to care for patient
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Yes
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No
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Must require the skills of a registered nurse or physical therapist
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Yes
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No
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Personal care services and assistance with activities of daily living not related to the medical treatment of a patient's illness or injury are provided
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No
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Yes
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* Homebound Status:
Homebound status is what qualifies a patient for home health care services. Homebound status is a Medicare regulation that states a patient’s absences from the home must be a taxing effort, infrequent and in most instances for the purposes of receiving health care treatment.
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