Home Care
• The POC must, at times be reviewed by the
patient’s doctor and care must be coordinated
and supervised by the home health care
provider. Requirements vary depending on the
provider so ask the provider and your doctor
what to expect.
*Note: Not all agencies provide all services.
Medical Home Health Agencies are required to
be licensed and inspected by the State of Florida.
Caregivers are required to have a background
check either through AHCA or FDLE.
NURSE REGISTRIES
Nurse registries arrange for nurses (RNs,
LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs),
Home Health Aides (HHAs) or homemakers/
companions to provide services in a place of
residence.
The individual health care worker is contracted
with the registry. Nurse registries provide nursing
care or homemaker/companion services, but are
not licensed to provide physical, occupational,
respiratory, speech or IV therapy or medical
equipment services. They must be licensed by
the State of Florida and caregivers are required to
have a background check through either AHCA
or FDLE.
HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Products range from respirators, wheelchairs,
and walkers, to catheter and wound care supplies.
Providers deliver, and when necessary, install
products and instruct patients on their proper
in-home use. Providers usually do not provide
physical care for patients, but there are a few
exceptions. Some offer pharmacy and infusion
services, where a nurse administers medication
and nutritional formulas to patients and teaches
the proper techniques for self-administration.
Some providers also offer respiratory therapy
services to help individuals use breathing
equipment. Providers that bill the Medicare
program are required to meet federal minimum
standards. Each provider is liable for its personnel
and the services provided to patients. Providers
must be licensed by the State of Florida by AHCA.
INDEPENDENT HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS
Although not administered by AHCA, an
individual healthcare professional may provide
services in the home, within the scope of his/
her state license or registration and/or training.
Health care professionals can include registered
nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs),
respiratory and speech therapists, certified
nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides
(HHAs) and homemakers/companions. If you
employ an independent health care professional
ask for proof of liability insurance and who will
be responsible to pay household employment,
income withholding and unemployment taxes. If
they do not pay these taxes, you may be required
to pay.
*Use our Home Care Questions to Ask
worksheet to evaluate home care agencies.
More Info Online
PolkElderCare.com
More on Home Care:
• Need to Find an Agency?
• Printable “Questions to Ask” Worksheet
Learn
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