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Home health care includes a wide range of health and social services delivered in your home to treat illness or injury. Services covered by Medicare ’s home health benefit include intermittent skilled nursing care, therapy, and care provided by a home health aide . Depending on the circumstances, home health care will be covered by either Part A or Part B .

Medicare covers your home health care if:

• You are homebound , meaning it is extremely difficult for you to leave your home and you need help doing so.
• Intermittent means you need care at least once every 60 days and at most once a day for up to three weeks. This period can be longer if you need more care, but your care needs must be predictable and finite.
• Medicare defines skilled care as care that must be performed by a skilled professional, or under their supervision.
• Skilled therapy services refer to physical, speech, and occupational therapy .
• You have a face-to-face meeting with a doctor within the 90 days before you start home health care, or the 30 days after the first day you receive care. This can be an office visit, hospital visit, or in certain circumstances a face-to-face visit facilitated by technology (such as video conferencing).
• Your doctor should review and certify your home health plan every 60 days. A face-to-face meeting is not required for recertification.
• And, you receive care from a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA) .

Note: You cannot qualify for Medicare home health coverage if you only need occupational therapy. However, if you qualify for home health care on another basis, you can also get occupational therapy. When your other home health needs end, you can continue receiving Medicare-covered occupational therapy under the home health benefit if you need it.

If you meet all the requirements, Medicare should pay for skilled care in your home and/or home health aide services. If you have questions or experience billing issues, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

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The Complete Guide to Home Health Care

Your complete guide to understanding home health care.

Are you trying to stay independent at home, and out of the hospital as much as possible? Do you need help from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist to be able to do that? If you find it difficult to leave your home, home health care may be the answer.

In this guide, you’ll learn all about home health care, including eligibility requirements, how to find the right home health care provider for your needs and more. We’ll answer frequently asked questions about home health care such as:

• Who qualifies for home health care services?
• What services do home health agencies provide?
• What types of home health professionals will visit me?
• How much do home health care agencies charge?
• Does Medicare cover home health care?
• What’s the difference between home health and home care, hospice and other types of care?
• How does home health care work?

Download the Complete Guide

Download a PDF version of this Home Health Guide to reference this information and share with your loved one.

• GET IN TOUCH
• Understanding Home Health Care

What Does Home Health Care Do?

Who uses home health care, how to get home health care, home health care cost.

• Where Can I Get Home Health?
• Understanding Your Options

How Home Health Works

Benefits of home health care.

• How to Choose a Provider

Myths About Home Health Care

• Home Health Care Testimonials

More Home Health Resources

• Download Our Home Health Guide

Understanding Home Health Care: The Home Health Care Definition

What is home health care.

Home health care includes a wide range of healthcare services that can be provided in your home. It is often used to help people recover from surgery, injury or an acute illness. Home health providers like Amedisys also help people manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, COPD or heart disease at home.

You have to meet certain eligibility requirements to get coverage for home health, including your physician certifying that you are “homebound.” This means it’s difficult for you to leave home without help. You also will need to be under the care of a physician, who certifies that you have a skilled need. Home health care is typically covered by Medicare as well as Medicaid and some private insurance plans for eligible patients.

What is home health care? Learn more about the home health care definition.

Read The Article

Home health care is typically delivered by a home health agency like Amedisys. So, what is a home health agency?

Here’s a simple definition of home health agency: an appropriately licensed organization that provides skilled nursing care and therapy services in eligible patients’ homes, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local requirements. Care is delivered by a team of healthcare workers and supervised by the patient’s doctor and a home health nurse.

Learn more about home health care. Complete our brief form to speak to a home health specialist.

*If you are a current Amedisys patient, please contact your Care Center directly.

Home health care can include nursing, occupational, speech and physical therapy and other services to help you stay safe at home. The type of care you receive is based on your needs and your doctor’s orders. With Amedisys, your team will work with you, your family and your doctor to:

• Monitor your health
• Ensure your doctor and caregiver are up-to-date on your progress
• Provide high-quality care that helps you manage your illness or recover in the comfort of home

Who is on the home health team ? Depending on your needs and doctor’s orders, you may work with a:

• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Home health aide
• Medical social worker

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF HOME HEALTH CARE?

Your home health providers will work with you to set goals that are specific to you and your situation. In general, some of the goals of home health care include:

• Helping you feel better and recover after an injury or illness
• Keeping you independent at home as long as possible
• Delaying or preventing the need for a nursing home or other facility
• Maintaining your highest possible level of health and ability while living with a chronic illness
• Teaching you and your caregiver how to manage your health at home
• Preventing unnecessary and potentially costly trips to the hospital

Examples of Home Health Services

What’s included as part of in-home health services.

There are a variety of home health care services that can be included in your care plan. Every patient has different needs. Your doctor will decide which services are right for you.

In-home health services with Amedisys may include:

Nurses serve as your doctor’s eyes and ears in your home. In home health care, a nurse comes to your home to help you recover after a recent surgery, injury or hospitalization, or learn to manage the symptoms of chronic illnesses.

Depending on your needs, your Amedisys home health nurse may:

• Teach you and your caregiver about your condition, medications and symptoms
• Help you manage pain and other symptoms
• Provide wound care
• Help you manage your medications
• Provide monitoring and support for behavioral health disorders like anxiety and depression (if the Amedisys home health program has a behavioral health nurse on staff)

Our physical therapists can visit your home to improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of falling. Some of the goals of physical therapy are to:

• Relieve pain
• Restore flexibility
• Improve your strength, balance, coordination and ability to move
• Prevent disability

If you have pain or an injury or illness that makes it hard to do your usual activities, occupational therapy can help make daily life easier. For example, you might learn new ways to get dressed, eat or move around your house. An Amedisys occupational therapist may:

• Teach you how to use special equipment
• Suggest ways to make your home safer
• Provide tips and tools to make it easier for you to do daily activities like bathing, dressing and household chores

Our certified speech-language pathologists can help with a variety of speech, language, swallowing, voice and communication disorders. Some goals are to:

• Improve abilities like memory, swallowing, communication and talking
• Learn ways to compensate for difficulty understanding and expressing yourself through language  

Our home health aides can help you with daily self-care tasks you may have trouble with, such as:

• Bathing and washing hair
• Getting dressed

A medical social worker can help you access resources to help you get the care you need. Some medical social worker services at Amedisys include: 

• Counseling to help you cope with illness and treatment
• Referrals to helpful services in your community
• Help with making a long-term care plan
• Advocacy for your rights and wishes

Some home health companies have specialized clinical programs . For example, many Amedisys home health agencies offer a heart failure program , a diabetes program and a COPD program . If you have a condition that increases your risk of falling, our home health companies offer a fall reduction program . This program helps you make changes that reduce your fall risk and build your strength and balance.

IS HOME HEALTH CARE ONLY FOR SENIORS AND ELDERLY ADULTS?

Adults of any age may receive home health care if they meet the eligibility requirements. Younger adults may need home health after a surgery, injury or acute illness in order to recover. Studies show older adults are more likely to use at-home health care than young people because of higher rates of chronic illness and disability.   

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU MIGHT NEED HOME HEALTH CARE?

Home health is for anyone who meets eligibility requirements, with a doctor’s order, and needs help at home. You may need home health care if you have difficulty leaving home and:

• You recently got discharged from a skilled nursing facility or hospital after an illness, injury or surgery
• You visit your doctor or the emergency room often
• You’re managing one or more chronic health conditions
• You take several medications and need help taking them as directed
• You recently had a medication change and need help monitoring side effects and making sure they’re working properly
• Daily activities like bathing and dressing are difficult for you

Common Home Health Diagnoses

What are the most common home health diagnoses.

Home health care can help homebound people with a variety of conditions. Some of the most common diagnoses for home health patients include:

How does home health help? Learn more about the ways home health care can help people with these conditions.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES?

Home health is typically covered by insurance if you meet eligibility requirements. For example, you’ll need to meet all of these requirements:

• Be “homebound” (unable to leave home without help); and
• Require intermittent/part-time skilled nursing care, speech therapy or physical therapy, or continue to need occupational therapy; and
• Be under the care of a doctor who orders home health for you; and
• Receive care from a Medicare-certified home health agency

The best way to get home health care is to ask your doctor about it. They’ll determine your eligibility and can place an order for home health care with Amedisys.

Another option is to contact your preferred home health agency. At Amedisys, we’ll coordinate with your doctor to find out if you’re eligible.

Home Health Eligibility Checklist

Doctor's order.

• Patient needs supportive device/another person's help to leave home OR illness could worsen if leaves home
• Medical Care
• Haircut/beauty parlor
• Religious services
• Adult daycare
• Family event like a wedding, family reunion, graduation or funeral

Intermittent skilled nursing/therapy needs

Medicare-certified home health agency.

John's Story

John fell in the bathroom and needed hip surgery. He spent five days in the hospital and is ready to be discharged, but he hasn’t fully healed. In his discharge paperwork, John’s doctor includes information about being homebound and orders short-term skilled care. His doctor lists the services and equipment John will need. John is eligible for home health care.

Martha's Story

Martha visits her doctor for follow-up on a wound. Her doctor notes that she is homebound and orders daily wound care visits from a home health nurse for the week. The nurse will be at Martha’s house less than an hour per day. Martha’s care is “intermittent” and would likely be covered under Medicare.

Do you qualify for home health? Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to qualify for home health.

WHAT IS THE COST OF HOME HEALTH CARE?

Home health care is affordable. Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans typically cover home health services for eligible patients when prescribed by a physician. If you’d like to receive home health care but you don’t meet eligibility requirements, private pay for home health may also be an option.

In addition to covering standard home health services, many insurance providers cover durable medical equipment (e.g., walker or wheelchair) and certain medical supplies, if required. These may incur an out-of-pocket cost (around 20%), depending on your insurance plan. A home health company like Amedisys can help you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

HOME HEALTH CARE INSURANCE OPTIONS

Who pays for home health care does medicare cover home health care does medicaid pay for home health care.

Home health care is often covered by Medicare as well as Medicaid and some private insurance plans if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here are a few of the most common ways to pay for home health care:

If you’re over 65 and meet the home health eligibility requirements, Medicare typically covers home health services. In fact, Medicare is the largest payer of home health care. Medicare may also cover part-time or intermittent help with bathing, dressing and other daily tasks from a home health aide. However, an aide is only covered if a doctor orders those services in addition to skilled care to care for your injury or illness.

Medicare does not cover non-skilled personal home care services if that is the only type of care you need. Medicare Advantage plans might offer different coverage, so check with your plan provider.

Medicaid typically pays for home health care for those who are eligible. It covers the same services as Medicare. Medicaid may also cover cleaning, meal preparation, transportation, personal care and other help that Medicare does not cover. Check your state rules to find out the details of your Medicaid home health care coverage.

Private Insurance

If you don’t qualify for home health or would rather use private insurance, many insurers cover home health services. Most plans cover short-term skilled care, but not long-term care or personal home care services like housekeeping or errands. Coverage varies significantly from plan to plan. Review your policy to see what type of home health coverage your plan offers.

Does your insurance cover home health care? Get a side-by-side comparison of these and other home health coverage options.

Where Can I Get Home Health Care?

The most common home health care setting is a patient’s private home. That could be a house, an apartment or a relative’s home. Being able to recover or manage an illness at home is convenient, affordable and comfortable.

A private home isn’t the only place people can receive home health care. Senior living communities and group homes are also considered a patient’s “home” for purposes of receiving home health care.

Where is Home Health Care Available?

Private home.

• Safety and comfort of home
• Regular visits from interdisciplinary home health team
• Day-to-day care provided by family/caregiver
• 24/7 crisis availability

Assisted Living / Senior Living

• Covered if services are not already provided by the community under contract or state licensure
• Communication between home health and assisted living
• Smooth transition from hospital/facility into assisted living
• Home health provides education self-care and healthy living
• Home health can improve resident outcomes and family satisfaction

Learn more about where you can (and can’t) get home health care services delivered.

Understanding Your Health Care at Home Options: Is Home Health Care Right for You?

There are many options for seniors looking for help at home – so many options that it can be confusing trying to figure out what type of care you need. You might be wondering, “What’s the difference between home care and home health? Would I do best in a facility, or can I manage my condition at home?” Every type of care serves an important purpose. The key is finding the right care for your needs, at the right time.

We’ll explore several senior care options that may be available to you. Call us or talk with your doctor to find out if your preferred type of care would be appropriate for your needs.

They sound similar and both provide care in the home, but there are important differences between home health and personal home care. For example:

• Home health care is skilled care provided by licensed nurses and therapists. It includes mostly clinical and medical services. Personal home care is typically non-medical, non-skilled care provided by caregivers.
• Home health care requires a doctor’s order and meets eligibility criteria. Personal home care does not.
• If you meet eligibility requirements, home health care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Personal home care is typically private or cash pay, though long-term care insurance and Medicaid sometimes cover home care.

Some home health companies use the terms "home care" and "home health care" interchangeably. Check to make sure you’re looking at the right services for your needs.

With home care and home health, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Many older adults receive both at the same time. In fact, 80% of home health patients have a caregiver outside of the home health agency. This often is a spouse, child or other family member, but can also be a paid caregiver through home care.

Learn more about the differences between home health care and home care.

Both services can be provided at home, but there are major differences between hospice and home health care. For example:

• Hospice is known as end-of-life care. It brings comfort and the best possible quality of life to people with a terminal illness who aren’t expected to live more than six months. The purpose of home health is different. Home health helps people recover from an illness, surgery or injury or manage one or more chronic conditions.
• Both hospice and home health teams have nurses, social workers and aides. The rest of the team is different. Hospice teams include chaplains, bereavement counselors and volunteers. Home health teams have physical, speech and occupational therapists on staff.

It is unusual to receive both hospice and home health at the same time. A person getting home health may have declining health and eventually transition into hospice care. On occasion, a person getting hospice may have an improvement in health and transition to home health.

What is the difference between hospice and home health care? Learn about eligibility criteria and other differences.

Both provide skilled nursing services such as nursing care and speech, occupational and physical therapy. But there are a few important differences between home health and a skilled nursing facility:

• With home health, nursing services are provided part-time, wherever you call home. With a skilled nursing facility, you pay to live at the facility with access to onsite medical care.
• Skilled nursing facilities provide meal preparation and non-medical care in addition to skilled nursing care and therapy. Home health agencies do not provide meals and most other types of non-clinical care.

Often, people stay in a skilled nursing facility for a short time while they’re transitioning from a hospital to their personal home. They may have had surgery or an acute illness and need intensive support for the first few days or weeks. Then after those first few days or weeks, they can return home with regular check-ins, monitoring and care from home health professionals.

Assisted living facilities are apartment-like places you live in if you need more support than you can get at home, but less than a skilled nursing facility or nursing home. They offer a different type of support than home health care agencies. Seniors can often receive home health care in an assisted living facility, if they meet eligibility requirements . Here are a few key differences between home health and assisted living facilities:

• Assisted living facilities typically provide non-medical care. They do not provide skilled nursing or therapy like home health companies do. Common offerings in assisted living include social activities, meals, housekeeping and laundry.
• Assisted living has staff onsite around-the-clock in the event of an emergency. Home health programs provide regular visits and some offer 24/7 on-call availability, but they do not offer 24-hour supervision.

Home health is typically covered by Medicare and other insurance. Assisted living is not covered by Medicare, though Medicaid and long-term insurance may cover some costs, depending on your state’s rules. Many people pay for assisted living out-of-pocket.

Nursing homes are places seniors go to live if they need more support than home health care and assisted living can provide. There are many differences between home health care and a nursing home. Here are a few:

• People typically live in nursing homes to receive round-the-clock support long-term. Home health care is typically provided on an intermittent or short-time basis at home.
• Nursing homes provide help with meal preparation and daily tasks like bathing, grooming and medication monitoring. They do not typically have medical professionals on site to provide nursing care or therapy, whereas home health care does include those skilled services.

Unless it’s also a skilled nursing facility, most nursing homes are defined as non-medical custodial care, which is not covered by Medicare. Most people pay with private insurance, Medicaid or out-of-pocket. Home health care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many insurance plans for eligible patients.

HOW DOES HOME HEALTH CARE WORK?

The process of starting home health usually goes something like this:

You visit your doctor, or you’re being discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility. You might ask about home health care, or your doctor may recognize a need for skilled care at home and determine you meet the eligibility requirements.

Your doctor orders home health for you. They may recommend a particular home health care provider. Or they may provide a list of nearby programs, or encourage you to research on your own and find the best home health agency for your needs. You have the right to choose your home health company. It’s important to do your research and choose a high-quality provider like Amedisys.

You’ll hear from an Amedisys home health specialist to schedule the first visit. During this visit, they’ll ask questions about your health and learn more about your schedule and needs. They’re required by law to keep your information confidential.

Your home health care agency and physician set up a plan of care, which is a written plan that describes the care you’ll receive. Your plan of care should include:

• The types of services you need
• How often you need these services
• Which professionals should be on your team
• Any home medical equipment you’ll need
• Any special foods you need
• Your doctor’s goals for your treatment

The services you receive and the frequency of your home health visits are based on your doctor’s orders. Your team will set up a schedule and work to make the visits convenient for you.

Once you start care, a team of home health professionals visits your home. Depending on your doctor’s orders, your team could include skilled home health care providers like a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist. It could also include specialists like a social worker or home health aide.

Home health visits can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on your condition and the purpose of the visit. If an urgent need comes up, you can reach an Amedisys on-call home health specialist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your home health team will update your caregiver(s) and doctor regularly. They may adjust your care plan as your needs change, if approved by your doctor.

HOW OFTEN DO HOME HEALTH PROFESSIONALS VISIT?

It depends on your needs and your doctor’s orders. You may only need one weekly visit from a nurse, for example. Or you might have several visits per week from a few different team members. For example, you might have a nurse visit one day, a physical therapist later in the week, and a home health aide once a week. Some patients could require daily visits for a period of time, depending on their needs.

Millions of people receive home health care each year. For those who are eligible, home health is often a first choice because it allows them to live independently in the comfort of home. Thanks to advances in technology, many of the treatments you used to get in a hospital can now be provided at home. Some of the other benefits of home health care with Amedisys are:

• Home health care is cost-effective, especially compared to nursing homes and other facilities.
• Home health services can make daily life easier.
• Home health can help you feel better, recover from illness or injury, and/or slow decline.
• Home health care may delay or prevent the need for nursing home or facility care.
• Monitoring and regular visits from home health professionals may help you stay out of the hospital.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services describes home health care as “less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF).”

What are some other benefits of home health care? Click here for other reasons people choose home health care.

How to Choose a Home Health Provider

There are more than 12,000 home health agencies in the U.S. So, how do you choose a home health care provider that you can trust? Here are a few important questions to ask home health care agencies:

Do you provide high-quality home health? What are your patient satisfaction and quality scores?

A high-quality home health agency treats you with respect, provides superior care and gives you the best chance of getting the results you want. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes it easy to get quality home health . Visit its Care Compare website to get scores and compare providers. These scores are based on an objective assessment using large surveys.

99% of Amedisys home health care centers are rated 4+ Quality Stars.

Does your home health agency serve my area?

Most home health agencies provide care in a defined service area. Look for one that can come to your neighborhood.

There are several common myths about home health care. In addition to being inaccurate, these misconceptions can be dangerous if they keep people from getting the care they need. Here are a few home health care myths, along with the facts.

Myth: It’s risky to have home health professionals in my home.

FACT: Quality home health providers like Amedisys conduct thorough screenings and provide training to help ensure your safety. You can expect your home health team to quickly build rapport with you and get to know you. Many patients report feeling close bonds with their home health team within a couple of visits.

Myth: I already have a caregiver, so I don’t need home health care.

FACT: If you already have a caregiver, either a family member or a paid caregiver, you may be receiving help with housekeeping, cooking, transportation and related needs. Home health care offers a different type of support for homebound patients who have a need for skilled nursing or certain types of therapy. For example, nurses can provide wound care and other services. You can also receive speech, occupational or physical therapy. If you’re eligible for home health care, you can receive these services as ordered by your doctor in addition to having a caregiver.

Myth: Home health care isn’t affordable for most people.

FACT: Sometimes people confuse home health care with personal home care, which is often paid out-of-pocket. Home health care, by contrast, is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies if you meet the eligibility requirements. This makes it a highly affordable option for in-home healthcare.

Myth: Patients must be bedbound to get home health care.

FACT: You do not have to be bedbound (unable to get out of bed) to qualify for home health care. You do have to be homebound, which means that you normally are unable to leave your home without assistance, and that, if you are able to leave for brief intervals, it requires a considerable and taxing effort.

Is home health care only for people who are very ill? Read more myths about home health care to find out.

HOW LONG CAN I RECEIVE HOME HEALTH CARE?

It depends on your needs. You can receive home health care as long as you qualify and your doctor says you need it.

WHEN MY DOCTOR ORDERS HOME HEALTH CARE FOR ME, CAN I ASK FOR A SPECIFIC HOME HEALTH AGENCY?

Yes, according to federal law, patients have the right to choose their healthcare provider. You can research home health companies on Medicare’s Care Compare website or ask for recommendations from friends, your church or senior center, or other people you trust.

Amedisys would be happy to answer questions and help you make the right choice for your needs. Similarly, if a hospital refers you to their hospital-owned home health program, you can choose that agency or a different one based on your research.

CAN I CHANGE HOME HEALTH AGENCIES?

Yes, you can stop receiving home health at one agency and choose another one. First, you need to tell both agencies that you’re planning to make the switch.

Still have questions about home health care? Visit our home health FAQs.

View Our FAQs

Home Health Care Testimonials: What Do Patients Say About Home Health Care?

The greatest testament to the benefits of home health care are patients whose lives have been improved by their team of nurses, therapists, aides and social workers. We often receive letters and emails from patients thanking us for treating them like family, being there when they needed us, and helping them do the things they care about most. We also hear from caregivers who finally have peace of mind that their loved one is getting the care they need. Read our patient stories .

Want to know more about home health care? Here are a few reliable home health resources:

Medicare.gov – A reliable source of information about Medicare home health coverage, eligibility requirements and services

Home Health Compare – This website allows you to compare quality and patient satisfaction scores among Medicare-certified home health agencies, so you can choose a high-quality home health agency

Medicaid.gov – Read about Medicaid home health eligibility and learn about your state’s coverage for home health care

Medicare and Home Health Care – A guide from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with detailed information about Medicare’s home health care coverage and frequently asked questions

Eldercare Locator – This nationwide government service of the Administration on Aging can help you find a home health agency near you as well as other local support resources

National Institute on Aging – Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NIA is a trusted source of information on healthy aging, caregiving and more

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – Research and statistics about home health care from the CDC

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What's home health care?

Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). 

Examples of skilled home health services include:

• Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
• Patient and caregiver education
• Intravenous or nutrition therapy
• Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status

In general, the goal of home health care is to treat an illness or injury. Home health care may help you:

• Regain your independence
• Become more self-sufficient
• Maintain your current condition or level of function
• Slow decline

If you get your Medicare 

through a Medicare health plan, check with your plan to find out how it gives your Medicare-covered home health benefits.

If you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance ( Medigap ) policy or other health insurance coverage, tell your doctor or or other health care provider so your bills get paid correctly.

If your doctor or or other health care provider (including a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, and physician assistant) decides you need home health care, they should give you a list of agencies that serve your area. They must tell you whether their organization has a financial interest in any agency listed.  

What should I expect from my home health care?

• Doctor or other health care provider's orders are needed to start care. Once your doctor or other health care provider refers you for home health services, the home health agency will schedule an appointment and come to your home to talk to you about your needs and ask you some questions about your health.
• The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor or other health care provider about your care and keep your them updated on your progress.
• It’s important that home health staff see you as often as the doctor or other health care provider ordered.

Examples of what the home health staff should do:

• Check what you’re eating and drinking.
• Check your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
• Check that you’re taking your prescription and other drugs and any treatments correctly.
• Ask if you’re having pain.
• Check your safety in the home.
• Teach you about your care so you can take care of yourself.
• Coordinate your care. This means they must communicate regularly with you, your doctor or other health care provider, and anyone else who gives you care.

House Calls – We Bring the Doctor’s Office to the Patient

At Mobile Physician Services, we provide comprehensive care to improve the health and quality of life of our patients – in the convenience and comfort of their own home. Our team of board-certified doctors, advance nurse practitioners, and physician assistants specialize in providing care for patients with medically complex and chronic conditions.

Our Services

We accept Medicare, many insurance plans, and self-pay.

To find out more about our services:

Call Toll-free: (855) 232-0644

E-mail us at [email protected]

Primary Care

Pain management, palliative care.

At Mobile Physician Services, our customized care teams provide patients with both comfort and familiarity as they work with a dedicated primary care provider and care coordinator to improve their health. Our physicians and staff take a proactive approach to preventive care, chronic disease management, and chronic illness support right where you live.

Each home visit includes an in-depth examination and individualized treatment plan, which is monitored and adjusted through routine follow-up visits. The primary care provider will deliver your ongoing care and will recommend to you specialty services as needed.

• Annual Wellness visits : This wellness visit allows your primary care provider to create or update your personalized prevention plan. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health and may include counseling about preventive services. This plan may help you to prevent or reduce the chances of future illness based on your current health and risk factors.
• New Illness Exams : When a new symptom or ailment arises, call us. Early indications of not feeling well could be a clue that you may be getting sick. A symptom in one part of the body may also be a sign of a problem in another part of the body. Moreover, unrelated symptoms that might seem minor on their own, could be warning signs of a more serious medical disease or condition. The new illness exam can be very brief or more detailed depending on your concerns and the provider’s findings.
• Follow-up Care: Involves a regular medical checkup, which may include a physical exam and laboratory testing. Follow-up care checks are a proactive way of assessing the potential for and preventing health problems from returning after treatment of a disease has ended or an illness has seemingly passed.
• Referral for Specialty Care : Referrals are the link between primary and specialty care. The referral coordination includes the documentation of patient care activities, the transfer of information, the inter-provider communication itself, and the integration of care services to the patient. Mobile Physician Services is a multi-specialty practice so many of these specialty referral services can be made seamlessly with little inconvenience or disruption to the patient and caregivers regular routines.
• Medication Management: Medication management is a treatment structure that ensures our patients are receiving optimal therapeutic results from their prescription medications, both in the short and long term. Our team’s goal is to mitigate medication noncompliance and monitor all prescriptions treatments so that drug interactions complement one another for the most optimal outcome for our patients.

The provider may be a physician, advanced practice nurse or a physician assistant. A dedicated care coordinator will also be assigned for each patient to help arrange comprehensive services and assist patients and their caregivers.

• Online Patient Portal: You and your designated caregiver, if you choose, will be able to connect with your provider through a convenient, safe and secure environment which allows access to your health records and a way to communicate with our staff in a timely manner.
• Telephone Assistance : On call providers are available 24/7 weekdays and weekends.

Our psychiatry team specializes in the diagnosis and management of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They carefully evaluate each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan to improve the patient’s overall mental and physical well-being.

• Depression : Depression is a common and often serious medical illness that negatively affects how you may feel, the way you may think, and how you may act. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, despair and hopelessness, which may lead to a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
• Anxiety : Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday common situations. The worry or anxiety could make you feel fatigued, irritable, and interfere with your regular sleep habits.
• Dementia : An overall term that is used to describes a collection of symptoms related to an individual’s decline in memory or other thinking skills. It may be severe enough to diminish a person’s ability to perform everyday common activities. The effects of dementia can negatively influence your memory, thinking and social abilities.
• Phobias : A phobia is when you experience excessive panicking or an irrational fear reaction to a situation. If you have a phobia, you may experience a deep sense of dread or fright when you encounter the source of your fear. The fear may be a certain place, situation, object, animal or even another person.
• Behavioral disorders : Attention deficit, hyperactivity, bipolar, learning, defiant or conduct disorders are all examples of complaints that may have a detrimental impact on a person’s interpersonal relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.

Our team can provide behavioral counselling and medical therapy, when appropriate, to help a patient feel better about themselves and to assist them with better coping and managing their condition.

Our wound care specialists have been trained in the attention and treatment of all types of acute and chronic wounds. They have skill and experience in wound debridement and wound care procedures – managing chronic, non-healing wounds and infections, with a demonstrated care that fosters healing… right in the patient’s own home.

We specialize in serving homebound patients who may also be bed-bound or have difficulty in walking or moving around. As a result, immobility compression sores develop at pressure points on the body when the weight of an immobilized individual rests continuously on a firm surface, such as a mattress or wheel chair. Often these same patients are on oxygen or have high-risk medical conditions which makes it an even more challenging and stressful effort for them to travel to a doctor’s office for an appointment. Thus, the necessity for in home care and treatment.

Wounds that benefit from specialized wound care techniques include:

• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
• Post-surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds caused by injury
• Arterial and vein stasis caused by lack of circulation
• Immobility pressure sores. (Bed sores from stillness)

We work closely with home health agencies to provide ongoing care and monitoring of patient’s wounds.

Our board-certified podiatrists treat foot pain, wounds, and more. Treatments may include but are not limited to treating conditions of the lower extremities which could hinder mobility.

• We will review each patients’ medical history to evaluate the condition of the feet, ankle or lower leg
• Carry out a diagnosis on the feet and lower legs through examination and medical tests
• Order physical therapy when deemed necessary
• Treat wounds of the lower extremities using various wound care modalities. This may include debridement to improve the healing potential
• Promote prevention, health & well being, the treatment and management of the foot and related problems, disability, deformity, and the pedal complications of chronic diseases for the elderly
• Prescribe and fit prosthetic appliances such as diabetic shoe inserts and evaluate for bracing if necessary
• Refer patients to other specialists for treatment, including conditions such as diabetes or arthritis
• Advise patients on ways to prevent future leg problems and increase speed of recovery
• Monitor the recovery progress of patients to determine the need for change in treatment

We know it’s not always easy to leave home to get the care you need for your eyes. Our optometrists bring state-of-the-art diagnostic eye equipment and technology to your home – making it much easier for you to get the vision care you need.

During a visit, your doctor will exam each eye for signs of serious issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and detached retinas, among other conditions.

Receiving regular eye exams regardless of the state of your vision can help detect serious eye problems at their earliest stages ─ when they are most treatable. During an eye exam, your doctor will observe and evaluate the health and condition of the blood vessels in your retina, which can be good indicators of the health of your blood vessels throughout the rest of your body.

• Comprehensive eye exams : This exam goes beyond a simple vision screening. A comprehensive eye exam includes a host of tests in order to do a complete evaluation of the health of your eyes and your vision.
• Annual retina exams : A retinal exam allows your doctor to evaluate the back of your eye, including the retina, the optic disk and the underlying layer of blood vessels that supply the retina.
• Eyeglass fittings : A prescription works best when your eyeglasses are properly fitted. Improper fitting may cause pinching, distorted vision, headaches, and even dizziness. Our doctors will make sure your prescription lenses and frames are working together for you.
• Diabetic eye exams : Diabetes does not have to lead to vision loss. Taking an active role in managing your diabetes can go a long way in curbing later complications. Regular eye exams, good management of your blood sugar and blood pressure, along with early intervention for vision problems can help prevent vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.
• Refractions: This test is given as part of your routine eye examination. It is often referred to as a vision test. This test assists your eye doctor in measuring you for the exact lens prescription you will need.
• Eye injuries: Eye trauma could be the result of a sudden blow to the eye. It may cause the eye to suddenly compress and retract which could cause damage to your eye and the surrounding tissue. Even if the injury may seem minor, all eye injuries should be furthered examined by a doctor for possible more serious and underlying injuries.
• Eye infections: The most common eye infection is conjunctivitis, also known as pink-eye. An eye infection can happen in almost any part of your eye, including your eye lid, cornea and optic nerve. Symptoms of eye infections may include redness, itching, swelling, discharge, pain, or problems with vision. Always consult with your doctor before treating, as recommended actions are contingent on the cause of the infection.
• Low-vision exams: A low vision exam is different from a normal eye exam. This functional-vision assessment determines how specific visual impairments affects your ability to perform everyday activities. The exam’s results assist your doctor in prescribing management tools and medications to better enhance and manage your remaining vision.

Pain management is the process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain. Pain management is a subspecialty of general medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach to ease the suffering and improve the quality of life of those living with chronic pain by using a combination of pain medications, joint and muscles injections, and physical therapy techniques.

A pain management specialist is a provider with advanced training in diagnosing and treating pain. Our pain management specialists treat pain stemming from a variety of different causes, whether it’s neuropathic pain or headache, or the result of injury, a surgical procedure, cancer or another illness.

Palliative care is an approach to the holistic care of patients, including family and caregivers, to improve the quality of their lives after the diagnosis of a chronic debilitating disease or life-limiting illness that may cause a host of complaints.

Palliative care can begin at diagnosis and continue to be offered while the patient is continuing active treatment through different phases of their life limiting condition. Palliative care is for any patient with a chronic illness who is experiencing a decreased quality of life because of symptoms related to their illness or treatment, like renal dialysis, oxygen therapy or chemotherapy. The care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other specialists who work together to provide an extra layer of support to the patient and their caregivers.

Palliative care can help in symptom control including not only pain, but nausea, weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss at any time during their diseases, not only at the end of life.

What to Expect at Your First Home Care Visit

When you’re coming home from the hospital, it can be a relief to know that your doctor’s orders include home care. At the same time, you may be unsure about what to expect from your first home care visit or how to prepare for it. With VNS Health, your care will be tailored to your unique needs.

Before Your First Visit

While you’re still in the hospital, a VNS Health representative will work with your doctor to determine the care you will need once you’re home. On the day you go home, your VNS Health representative will help ensure a smooth transition as you are discharged. You’ll have that day to get settled, fill any prescriptions, and rest before your first home care visit. It’s important to understand that your home care nurse will not visit you on your first day back from the hospital.

The morning after you go home, a representative from VNS Health will call you to tell you what time your nurse will visit.

After a hospital visit or injury, you have enough to worry about. We offer expert care so you or a loved one can recover safely in the comfort of home.

At the First Visit

During your first visit, your nurse will explain all the details of your plan of care, including which other VNS Health professionals — such as physical therapists, social workers, registered dietitians, and home health aides — are part of your home care team and how often you’ll see them.

If you received instructions about your care while you were in the hospital, your nurse will review them with you to make sure you understand and are comfortable performing them. Be sure to have your discharge instructions and a list of medications ready to show the nurse. Your nurse will also remind you of your follow-up doctor’s appointments, will answer any questions you or your caregivers have, and will demonstrate any techniques necessary for your care. In addition, your nurse will order any supplies you need, from oxygen to sterile gloves, and teach you and your caregivers how to use any special equipment that’s part of your treatment.

Your nurse will also perform a thorough evaluation of your condition. They will:

• Check your vital signs
• Monitor any wound or incision sites
• Administer any medications

Depending on your needs, your first visit may last up to 3 hours.

During Your Time Receiving Home Care

VNS Health will provide all the services your doctor has ordered. We’ll help you understand what to expect regarding your medical condition and recovery, teach you how to manage and monitor your condition, and support you through your recovery.

The best way to make home care successful is to prepare for it in advance by making a list of responsibilities and chores you’d like the home care professional to take on. This way, you can be sure you will receive the help you need. It’s also smart to map out a schedule for meals, medications, sleep, exercise, and other activities and to make a list of emergency phone numbers for doctors, as well as friends and family members who can help in a pinch.

Whether you require skilled medical care or assistance with personal care, you can be sure that your plan of care will include all the services your doctor prescribes to meet your needs.

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Matrix For Me

Read our COVID-19 Advisory  for updates on how our providers follow CDC guidelines to ensure your health and safety.

Good Health Begins with a Conversation

About matrix medical network.

View the “What to Expect” video to learn more about the In-home health and wellness visit. from Matrix Medical Network .

Watch the “What to expect” video, to learn more about an In-Home Health Assessment

Matrix is a leading provider of comprehensive health and wellness visits, advanced diagnostics, and care management services. In partnership with your health plan, we help you stay healthy by providing care in the convenience of your home, on a video call, or on one of our mobile health clinics located in your community. And, we share results with you and your primary doctor, so you stay connected to care.

Matrix healthcare professionals take the time to listen to your health concerns and provide you with personalized support and focused attention that may not be available during regular doctor visits. Our licensed health providers include physicians (MD/DO), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical technicians.

To ensure Health Plan Member and Matrix Provider health and safety, we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended guidelines and protocols.

Health and Wellness Visit Benefits

Why should i schedule my visit today.

Now, more than ever, it’s important you stay healthy and connected to care. Your personalized visit with a Matrix Nurse Practitioner supports your regular doctor’s care. Even if you are healthy and see your doctor regularly, Matrix health and wellness visits (in your home or on a video call) can identify health risks early – before they become serious

How will my doctor learn about my assessment results?

Matrix will send a Personal Health Summary with results to you and your primary doctor after the visit. Together, you can make informed decisions about your health.

In-home Health and Wellness Visits

What happens during my in-home visit.

A Matrix Nurse Practitioner will meet with you for about 50 minutes in the comfort and convenience of your home. Our providers follow COVID-19 (Coronavirus) safety precautions recommended by the CDC including screening, good handwashing and equipment cleaning and use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.

During your visit, you will receive: • A comprehensive health and wellness assessment • A full review of your medical history and medications • Personalized recommendations for additional care, screenings, and resources if needed • Answers to your health questions, including questions about COVID-19 and guidance about testing and safety practices

Or, call 1-855-286-9062 (TTY:711)

Monday-friday 8 am-8 pm, local time saturday 8 am-5 pm et, telehealth video wellness visits, what is a video wellness call.

A video wellness call takes place over a phone, tablet, or computer with a nurse practitioner. It offers a safe and convenient health and wellness visit alternative to an in-person visit.

How do I know if I am eligible for a video wellness call?

If you would like to know your eligibility status, please call us. Not all Members are eligible. Your health plan notifies Matrix if, and when, you are eligible for a no cost video wellness call. If eligible, Matrix will contact you to schedule your call. Before your appointment, we’ll confirm you have the required device and are prepared to connect to your video wellness call.

What happens during the video wellness call?

A Matrix Nurse Practitioner will perform your visit over a live video call. You will receive:

• A health and wellness assessment
• A full review of your medical history and medications
• Personalized recommendations for additional care, screenings, and resources if needed
• Answers your health questions including any questions about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and guidance about testing and safety practices

What are the technical requirements?

To participate, you just need a cell phone, tablet or laptop computer that allows for FaceTime or Google Duo video calls. We recommend that you also have a Wi-Fi internet connection. To learn more, visit: Matrix Telehealth: Video Wellness Calls.

Call 1-855-214-4807 (TTY:711)

In-Home Visits

1-855-286-9062 (tty:711).

Video Calls

1-855-214-4807 (tty:711).

Comprehensive Health and Wellness Assessment

Early Identification of Health Risks

Answers to Your Health Questions

Full Medication Review

Necessary Health Screenings

Connections to Community Resources

Of members were happy with their visit and would have us back.

"I appreciate the chance to talk to someone about my health. It has been hard adjusting to this stage of my life. Matrix has been very helpful as I become used to the changes."

Louise - health plan member, do you have questions we're here to help.

For assistance please call us toll-free 1-855-256-9062 or submit the online form.

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Home Health Care 101: Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Is home health care the same as home care, what does "homebound" mean, pros of home health care, cons of home health care, what services does home health care provide, what services does home health care not provide, how often do house call doctors visit, what do home health nurses do on their visits, home health aide vs. personal care aide, who qualifies for home health care, how to pay for home health care, is home health care covered by medicare, what is home health care.

Home health care — frequently referred to simply as "home health" — is skilled care delivered directly to a patient's home. This type of care is provided by licensed medical professionals including nurses, therapists, and aides for the purpose of treating or managing an illness , injury , or medical condition .

Home health care services can be delivered to the patient's residence (which may be a private home or adult foster home), an assisted living or long-term nursing facility, or a memory or residential care facility.

Services that may be covered include medical services such as skilled nursing, physical therapy , occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as non-medical services such as social services or assistance with daily living.

No, home health care (i.e. home health) is significantly different than home care . While the two services sound similar (both take place at a patient's home or residence), home health is administered by licensed medical professionals. Further, the type of care encompassed by home health care covers a myriad of ailments and diseases, including physical therapy, post-operative care, and treatment of Alzheimer's, dementia, and chronic health conditions.

Related: Do you or does a loved one have these early warning signs of dementia ?

Home health care is available to any patient who needs it, but in order for it to be covered by Medicare, the patient must be deemed "homebound."

Homebound simply means that the patient's condition prevents them from being able to safely leave the home without assistance from others or assistive devices (e.g. canes, walkers, crutches, or wheelchairs).

In most cases, patients are still considered homebound even if they leave the home as needed for medical treatments that cannot be provided in-home. Brief and occasional non-medical absences may also be allowed, such as going to church, the beauty shop, or special family events.

What Are the Benefits of Home Health Care?

The primary benefit of home health care for the elderly is that it can be delivered directly to the patient's residence, whether it be a private home, adult foster home, assisted living or residential care facility, memory care facility, or long-term nursing home. By delivering care directly to the patient, expensive hospital bills can be avoided.

Family members are encouraged to be active participants in the planning process to help set and meet goals, working with home health care professionals for the benefit of the patient.

Additional benefits of home health care for seniors include:

• Faster recuperation and recovery from illness or injury
• Improved independence (over time)
• Maintaining or improving of current condition or level of function
• Regaining of self-sufficiency in the home
• Slowing of the decline of serious conditions
• Better symptom management
• Care is delivered directly to the patient's residence (either a home or facility)
• Medical services are provided by skilled professionals
• Home health care staff follow the physician-prescribed plan
• Patients regain independence and self-sufficiency at home
• Care is typically less expensive than hospitalization or a long-term nursing home
• See additional benefits of in-home doctor visits
• Home care services like cooking and cleaning may not be included
• Patients must meet the "homebound" requirements to qualify for Medicare
• May not be adequate for patients who require 24-hour monitoring
• Can be expensive if not covered by insurance or Medicare
• Number of home health care providers may be limited depending on location

How Does Home Health Care Work?

The first step toward receiving home health care is to obtain a physician's orders and work with a home health care company to develop a detailed care plan. From there, you will be asked to complete an initial consultation with the patient, during which they assess the patient's needs and develop a plan for treatment. Family members and other caregivers are encouraged to participate in this planning process to ensure consistent and comprehensive care.

When services begin, home health care staff will implement the plan – following all physician orders – and keep the physician updated about the patient's progress. The frequency and type of home health visits will vary depending on the patient's needs. Some patients require daily care while others require only a short visit once or twice per week.

All services are tailored to the patient's needs.

What Does Home Health Care Do for Patients?

Home health care is designed to help the patient rest, recover, and receive treatment in the comfort of their own home or residence. Services provided by home health care are offered with the goal of helping the patient regain independence to become as self-sufficient as possible while also managing their disease or condition.

Home health care can benefit both acute and chronic conditions, including but not limited to the following:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease
• Recovery from illness or surgery
• Chronic conditions or injuries

In addition to providing medically necessary services for the treatment of the above conditions, home health care professionals act as a liaison between the patient, the patient's family, and the patient's doctor. Home health care professionals keep a log for each visit and provide updates on the patient's condition to the doctor as needed. This helps to ensure continuity of care.

Home health care consists of medically necessary, skilled services prescribed by a physician for the treatment of an illness, injury, or medical condition.

Skilled services provided by home health care may include the following:

• Infusion therapy
• Medication management
• Nursing care
• Nutrition services
• Pain management
• Psychiatric services
• Social work
• Therapy (physical, occupational, speech)

Services provided by home health care professionals are tailored to the patient's individual needs. Examples include checking vital signs, assessing pain, monitoring food intake, managing medications, helping with basic hygiene, and ensuring safety in the home.

Home health care only provides medically necessary services – skilled services prescribed or recommended by a medical doctor. It does not provide unskilled services or daily necessities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and transportation. These services are covered by personal home care assistance. Some home health care services offer personal home care assistance at an additional cost, which may or may not be covered by insurance or Medicare.

What Is a Medical House Call?

A medical house call is a medical visit performed by a physician in the patient's place of residence. These visits are typically administered to homebound adults who otherwise have limited or no access to regular medical care.

What Is a House Call Doctor?

A house call doctor, or house call physician, is simply a doctor who performs medical visits in the patient's place of residence. House call doctors may be employed by an agency, or they may have their own practice.

What Are the Benefits of Physician House Calls?

The primary benefit of physician house calls is that patients receive quality care , from qualified physicians , in the comfort and convenience of their own home or place of residence. Additional benefits of physician house calls include the following:

• It ensures regular medical care to patients who have few or no other options (e.g. homebound adults, people who live in rural areas)
• It helps monitor and treat both preventable and chronic conditions to keep patients out of ERs and hospitals
• It encourages patients to keep up with regular medical visits by bringing the doctor directly to the patient's home
• It saves the patient time and money traveling to the doctor's office

Though there are many benefits associated with medical house calls, there are also some challenges, namely that house calls are not ideal for emergency medical problems, and availability of physicians and scheduling options may be limited in some areas.

House call visits can be scheduled as often as required by the patient, but on average patients are seen on a monthly basis. Visits are typically scheduled on weekdays, though the physician may be available by phone on weekends or after hours.

House call patients can be seen in their own home or in an adult foster home, assisted living or residential care facility, memory care facility, or long-term nursing home.

What Is Home Care Nursing?

When it comes to administering home health care, there are two types of skilled professionals who deliver care – nurses and physical therapists.

Home health care nurses must be trained medical professionals licensed to practice in their state and equipped to follow a physician's plan of care. Home care nurses typically work with elderly patients but may also provide services for children with mental or developmental issues, as well as patients with disabilities.

What Does a Home Health Nurse Do?

A home health nurse provides skilled services in keeping with a physician's plan of care for a home health care patient. These services may include the following:

• Taking the patient's vitals
• Administering pain medication
• Completing medical treatments
• Recording symptoms in a journal

In addition to these simple tasks, a home health nurse helps facilitate communication between the patient's physician and caregivers. Continuity of care is extremely important, and a home health nurse helps keep the lines of communication open, helping teach all involved parties how to properly manage the patient's condition.

The primary function of a home health nurse is to follow the physician's plan of care, administering medically necessary services to treat, prevent, or manage the patient's condition. On each visit, the home health nurse will take the patient's vitals, track symptoms and other details of the patient's condition, and administer any necessary medications or treatments. Home health nurses may also keep a journal for each patient, recording the details of the visit to ensure continuity of care and communication between family, caregivers, and the patient's medical team.

What Is a Home Health Aide?

A home health aide is a professional who provides assistance to patients with special needs, including those who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They may also provide services for seniors who require assistance in the home.

A home health aide may provide services including checking vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene, administering medication, and employing other elements of a physician-prescribed plan of care.

The duties of a home health aide and a personal care aide overlap at times, but the key difference is that home health aides typically work for agencies instead of being directly employed by their clients. Home health aides play an important role in the continuity of care, coordinating among caregivers and medical professionals, and tracking the condition and progress of their clients.

While home health aides and personal care aides provide services to the same type of patient, a personal care aide's duties are typically limited to non-medical services. This may include dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning, running errands, doing laundry, and providing companionship for their clients.

How to Get Home Health Care

There are several ways to apply for home health care, but the first step is to have your doctor evaluate your condition and draw up a home health care plan. Once you have a physician-prescribed plan, you can contact your health insurance company or work directly with an agency to establish service.

Before applying for home health care, make sure you meet all eligibility requirements.

There are rules for how to qualify for home health care, especially if you want it to be covered by your insurance or Medicare plan. In order to be eligible, you must meet these requirements:

• Be under the care of a physician who orders home health services
• Meet the definition of "homebound"
• Require skilled nursing or therapy services on an intermittent basis

Specific home health agencies may have additional requirements of their own, and you may also need to meet certain qualifications for your insurance plan. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these requirements before applying for home health care.

Patients and their families can save considerably by choosing home health care over long-term hospitalization or a skilled nursing facility. Still, medical care is expensive. When it comes to paying for home health care, there are several options:

• Public third-party pay
• Private third-party pay

The first of these options, self-pay, is home health care paid out-of-pocket. You may be able to negotiate the cost of services or arrange for a payment plan with the agency depending on your situation.

Most Americans over the age of 65 are eligible to receive federal Medicare coverage, which may then be used to pay for home health care services. In order to receive reimbursement for services, Medicare requires that the following conditions be met:

• The patient is an eligible Medicare beneficiary
• The physician certifies the need for services and creates a plan of care
• The beneficiary meets the Medicare definition of "homebound"
• The care must be delivered to the patient's place of residence
• The patient requires intermittent skilled nursing or therapy services
• The services are provided by a Medicare-certified agency

If you don't qualify for Medicare, or choose not to use it, you might be able to get home health care covered by a private insurance plan. Many insurers offer a cost-sharing provision for professional in-home care for seniors.

Typically, home health care providers accept Medicare and, in many cases, Medicare will pay for home health care if you are a current recipient and meet certain qualifications.

At Keystone Health , we accept Medicare along with other private insurance plans and self-pay options.

Home health care services are covered by Medicare as long as certain eligibility requirements are met. In order to be eligible for Medicare coverage for home health care, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be considered "homebound" according to the Medicare definition
• Require part-time or intermittent skilled care to improve, maintain, prevent, or further slow the progression of an existing condition
• Be under the care of a medical doctor who prescribes home health care (you must have documentation of an in-person visit with said doctor either three months before starting home health care or within one month of when home health care begins)

Medicare typically covers skilled nursing care and rehabilitative services, which may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Depending on your needs, additional services like medical social services, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and other in-home services may also be covered.

If you have Original Medicare, you may be able to receive home health care at no cost (though you might pay up to 20% of the Medicare-approved cost for durable medical equipment). If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may qualify for additional coverage.

Medicare does not cover non-skilled personal care services such as cooking, cleaning, transportation, and other elements of custodial care.

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• Primary Care Options
• Palliative Care Program
• Dementia Care
• Chronic Care Management
• In-Home Physical Therapy
• Geriatric Medicine
• Memory Care
• In-Home Care for Alzheimer’s & Dementia
• Early Warning Signs of Dementia & Alzheimer’s
• Differences Between Dementia & Alzheimer's
• Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Misconceptions
• Memory Care: Signs It May Be Time
• Memory Care: Prioritizing Patient Experience
• Understanding Dementia Behaviors
• Dementia Communication Strategies
• How to Help Loved Ones With Memory Loss
• Sundowners Syndrome: Symptoms & Management
• Social Interaction for People With Dementia
• Fun Memory Care Activities for People With Dementia
• Is Dementia Care Tax Deductible?
• Memory Care Nutrition Guide
• Home Health
• Home Health Care 101: FAQ
• Medical House Call Benefits
• How to Prepare for In-Home Care
• Home Health Care vs. Nursing Homes
• Health Services for Homebound Adults
• What Does Palliative Care at Home Include?
• Cardiac Disease & COPD Home Care Treatments
• Navigating Home Health Care Finances
• Managing Medication Regimens in Elderly Care
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• Comprehensive Services : From routine check-ups to specialized consultations, doctors who visit patients at home offer a wide range of medical services, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to specific needs.
• Time-Saving : With at-home doctor visits, patients can save time by avoiding long waits at medical facilities, enabling them to focus on their health without disrupting their daily routines.
• Patient Satisfaction : The personalized nature of home visits often leads to higher patient satisfaction, as individuals feel more valued and listened to by their medical providers.

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HouseCalls is check-in care that comes to you

Did you know you can set up a yearly preventive care visit at home.

UnitedHealthcare® HouseCalls — our yearly in-home health and wellness service — is a health plan feature for Medicare and Medicaid members, offered at no additional cost to you. It’s a way to help our members stay on top of their health between regular doctor visits.

Why is a HouseCalls visit a good idea?

Benjamin Franklin said it best, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We agree. The goal of our preventive care visits is to help you maintain your independence and continue doing what you love long into the future. We know there’s no way to prevent all health emergencies and accidents, but we believe that by taking care of yourself, you may be able to improve your odds of avoiding them. That’s where HouseCalls comes in. 

UnitedHealthcare® HouseCalls

Video transcript.

These days, you can have just about anything delivered to your door.

How about a home delivery of good health and wellness? It comes from UnitedHealthcare and is called HouseCalls.

HouseCalls is a yearly health and wellness visit that happens in the privacy of your very own home. No driving to an appointment. No sitting in a waiting room.

Here’s how it works.

Our HouseCalls team finds a time that’s convenient for you and schedules the visit. A health care practitioner, a physician’s assistant, medical doctor or nurse practitioner, comes to you at the scheduled time. The clinician completes a health evaluation, including a physical exam and other important screenings, then YOU decide what happens next.

You can discuss questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment, review instructions from your last doctor’s appointment or chat about other health concerns you haven’t had a chance to talk to your doctor about. Whatever you need.

The visit takes about 45-minutes to an hour – plenty of time to answer your important health questions.

Your practitioner will even send a summary of your HouseCalls visit to your doctor.

And unlike those other home deliveries – there’s no additional cost for a HouseCalls visit, it’s a feature of your medical plan. If you’re in good health or you already see your doctor regularly – you might not think HouseCalls is for you, but it is. Think of it as an extra layer of care – valuable one-on-one time you don’t always get in the doctor’s office.

So, when you get a phone call from our HouseCalls team – take advantage of this great program and schedule your HouseCalls visit. Or just call us and make an appointment!

It’s Easy. It’s Convenient. It’s UnitedHealthcare HouseCalls. 

What to expect during a HouseCalls visit

During a HouseCalls visit, you’ll meet with the same types of professionals you’d see in a doctor’s office — a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. They’ll answer your health-related questions, perform a physical exam and offer a health screening in the comfort of your own home. If you choose, your family members, loved ones or caregivers are welcome to sit in on this visit and ask additional questions. A typical visit will range from 45 minutes to a full hour.

The results of your exam and screening will be forwarded to your primary care provider (PCP) and you’ll receive a summary of your visit in the mail. 

During your visit, here are some typical topics you'll cover

• An overview of your medical history and prescription medications
• Conversations about overall well-being, like how to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress
• Tips on to help you avoid trip hazards in your home
• Community resources and support

Open the door to the convenience of a medical visit in your home

Meet with licensed medical staff on your schedule, in the convenience of your home. Once they arrive, talk about health concerns at your pace (the visits are focused on you and you alone). Use the results to help coordinate care with your doctor. 

• Be prepared to provide a urine sample during your visit—drink fluids in advance
• Wear shoes or slippers that are easy to remove (your feet will be checked)
• Know where to find medication bottles so they are ready to review 
• If applicable, have blood pressure readings available for review
• If you have diabetes, please provide blood sugar test results, as well as your blood glucose meter 

Remember, at the end of your visit, you’ll receive a personalized checklist of topics to discuss with your doctor at your next appointment. Plus, you and your doctor will receive a mailed summary of your visit.

Want more good news?

HouseCalls is included at no extra cost in most Medicare and Medicaid members as part of your health plan. 1  Schedule at a convenient time and we’ll come to you. 

Call to request a visit 1-866-799-5895 , TTY 711 , Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET

For medical emergencies, call 911. 

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Care at Home: Visiting Nurse Provides Personal Touch with Patients

By steve cukovich, business matter, butler county.

When patients get to receive care in the comfort of their own home, it provides them the best chance of having a comfortable and speedy recovery, according to Hannah Patton, a visiting licensed practical nurse for Lutheran SeniorLife.

Patton said a major reason why home care is a better option for patients is because of the decreased risk of infection compared to care provided in a hospital setting, where medical professionals see many patients on a day-to-day basis.

“I think home care is very important because patients are safest at home,” Patton said. “Your chances of infection are reduced by almost 50% when you are re-covering at home compared to a hospital. There are a lot of diseases at the hospital that can cause bacterial infections.”

When recovering in a hospital setting, a patient has a 7 in 100 chance of getting an infection, she said, while at-home patients have about a 3 in 100 chance of infection.

Patton, a Butler native, said she usually spends between 30 to 45 minutes with each patient she visits, and she provides them with a variety of services depending on their circumstances.

A lot of her time is spent educating her clients on how they can help themselves when she is not around to help improve their conditions.

“For example, with new diabetes patients I’ll talk about diets to follow,” Patton said. “Then, depending on their limitations, what they can do to exercise.”

Patton visits between six to eight patients throughout Butler County each day, primarily providing wound care to people such as Donald Knapp, of Renfrew.

Knapp, 91, said Patton has been visiting him three times a week for a wound he suffered the day after Thanksgiving when he was splitting logs with his son.

“I was trying to go around the log splitter and I fell, and when I did, I kicked my right leg and that’s what opened this up and that took the skin off because I have thin skin,” Knapp said.

Patton said if Knapp’s wound continues to heal as it has, he should be able to be discharged from her care in April.

This, however, might not have been made possible without some back-and-forth battles with Knapp’s insurance company.

Knapp was sent home from the hospital with Drawtex, a dressing that helps the wound heal from “the inside out.”

Drawtex helps the wound heal the  way it’s intended to, but the amount the hospital supplied to Knapp when he was discharged was not nearly enough to get him through the process.

“(The insurance company) said it wasn’t approved,” Patton said. “Then the insurance company called me, and I said this wound is not going to heal if he doesn’t get the proper dressings.”

The insurance company said Knapp needed prior authorization for the dress-ing, and after several calls to the insurer and medical supplier, Knapp received authorization for the dressing.

Patton said instances such as this are all too common in her line of work, which in turn is one of the biggest challenges she faces on a daily basis.

“You do have to do that push-back with the insurance companies or you will not get what you need and then the patient suffers,” she said.

Knapp sees the victory as a “win-win” for all parties because his wound will heal faster and, in turn, Patton will need to make fewer visits to change his bandages.

Patton said the next step in her career is to get Wound Care Certified, which she is in the process of doing with the help of the Visiting Nurses Association and Lutheran SeniorLife.

After that, she will look at going back to school once her children are further along in school to get her registered nurse certification and become a nurse practitioner.

In addition to visiting patients, there also is some behind-the-scenes work as well.

“I’m usually seeing patients between 30 to 35 hours a week,” Patton said. “Then I’m also doing about seven hours of paperwork on top of that. I’m probably working 40 to 45 hours a week.”

Patton said the shortage of nurses is evident just about everywhere, but one of the misconceptions is that it started with the COVID-19 pandemic. She said short-ages were an issue well before that.

“In nursing school they told us by about 2030 the number of patients will in-crease by 10% because the (Baby) Boomers are starting to get old,” Patton said. “I don’t think there are less people coming into the profession, just not enough to meet the demand.”

However, Patton said being a visiting nurse is “very rewarding,” and she finds joy in being personable with every patient she sees.

“I like patients like Donald,” Patton said. “We usually are just joking around and having witty banter, while also caring for the things he needs. The patients are why I do this job.”

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Home Health PPS

For a one-stop resource focused on the informational needs and interests of Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) home health agencies, visit the HHA Center webpage.

The Balanced Budget Act ( BBA ) of 1997, as amended by the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act ( OCESAA ) of 1999, called for the development and implementation of a prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicare home health services. The BBA of 1997 put in place the interim payment system (IPS) until the PPS could be implemented. Effective October 1, 2000, the home health PPS (HH PPS) replaced the IPS for all home health agencies (HHAs). The PPS proposed rule was published on October 28, 1999, with a 60-day public comment period, and the final rule was published on July 3, 2000.

Beginning in October 2000, HHAs were paid under the HH PPS for 60-day episodes of care that included all covered home health services. The 60-day payment amount was adjusted for case-mix and area wage differences. The case-mix adjustment under this system included: a clinical dimension; a functional dimension; and a service dimension, in which payment would increase if certain therapy visit thresholds were met.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ( BBA of 2018 ) included several requirements for home health payment reform, effective January 1, 2020. These requirements included the elimination of the use of therapy thresholds for case-mix adjustment and a change from a 60-day unit of payment to a 30-day period payment rate. The statutorily required provisions in the BBA of 2018 resulted in the Patient-Driven Groupings Model, or PDGM. The PDGM removes the current payment incentive to overprovide therapy, and instead, is designed to focus more heavily on clinical characteristics and other patient information to better align Medicare payments with patients’ care needs. While payment is adjusted for each 30-day period of care to reflect the beneficiary’s health conditions and care needs, a special outlier provision exists to ensure appropriate payment for those beneficiaries that have the most expensive care needs.

In March 2020, Section 3708(f) of the CARES Act amended the regulations to allow nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and physician assistants (PAs) to certify and order home health services. This means that in addition to a physician, these “allowed practitioners” may certify, establish and periodically review the plan of care, as well as supervise the provision of items and services for beneficiaries under the Medicare home health (HH) benefit.

Additionally, Section 3707 of the CARES Act encouraged use of telecommunications systems for home health services furnished during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). In response CMS amended § 409.43(a), allowing the use of telecommunications technology to be included as part of the home health plan of care, as long as the use of such technology does not substitute for an in-person visit ordered on the plan of care. .

30-Day Periods of Care under the PDGM

Beginning on January 1 2020, HHAs are paid a national, standardized 30-day period payment rate if a period of care meets a certain threshold of home health visits.  This payment rate is adjusted for case-mix and geographic differences in wages. 30-day periods of care that do not meet the visit threshold are paid a per-visit payment rate for the discipline providing care.  While the unit of payment for home health services is currently a 30-day period payment rate, there are no changes to timeframes for re-certifying eligibility and reviewing the home health plan of care, both of which will occur every 60-days (or in the case of updates to the plan of care, more often as the patient’s condition warrants).

Case-mix adjustment -- Adjusting payment for a beneficiary's condition and needs

After a physician or allowed practitioner prescribes a home health plan of care, the HHA assesses the patient's condition and determines the skilled nursing care, therapy, medical social services and home health aide service needs, at the beginning of the 60-day certification period. The assessment must be done for each subsequent 60-day certification. A nurse or therapist from the HHA uses the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) instrument to assess the patient's condition. (All HHAs have been using OASIS since July 19, 1999.)

Certain OASIS items describing a patient’s condition, and other information reported on Medicare claims are used to determine the case-mix adjustment to the national, standardized 30-day payment rate.  30-day periods are categorized into 432 case-mix groups for the purposes of adjusting payment under the PDGM. In particular, 30-day periods are placed into different subgroups for each of the following broad categories:

Information obtained from Medicare claims:

• Admission Source (two subgroups): Community or Institutional
• Timing of the 30-day period (two subgroups): Early or Late
• Clinical Grouping based on the reported principal diagnosis (twelve subgroups): Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation; Neuro/stroke Rehabilitation; Wounds; Medication Management, Teaching, and Assessment (MMTA) - Surgical Aftercare; MMTA - Cardiac and Circulatory; MMTA - Endocrine; MMTA - Gastrointestinal Tract and Genitourinary System; MMTA - Infectious Disease, Neoplasms, and Blood-forming Diseases; MMTA - Respiratory; MMTA- Other; Behavioral Health; or Complex Nursing Interventions
• Comorbidity Adjustment based on the reported secondary diagnoses (three subgroups): None, Low, or High

Information obtained from the OASIS assessment:

• Functional Impairment Level (three subgroups): Low, Medium, or High

In total, there are 2*2*12*3*3 = 432 possible case-mix adjusted payment groups.

Outlier payments - Paying more for the care of the costliest beneficiaries

Additional payments will be made to the 30-day case-mix adjusted period and associated payments for beneficiaries who incur unusually large costs. These outlier payments will be made for periods of care where imputed cost exceeds a threshold amount for each case-mix group. The amount of the outlier payment will be a proportion of the amount of imputed costs beyond the threshold. Outlier costs will be imputed for each period of care by applying standard per-visit amounts to the number of visits by discipline (skilled nursing visits, or physical, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, or home health aide services) reported on the claims. Total national outlier payments for home health services annually will be no more than 2.5 percent of estimated total payments under home health PPS.

Consolidated billing

For individuals under a home health plan of care, payment for all services (nursing, therapy, home health aides and medical social services) and routine and non-routine medical supplies, with the exception of certain injectable osteoporosis drugs, DME, and furnishing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using a disposable device is included in the HH PPS base payment rates. HHAs must provide the covered home health services (except DME) either directly or under arrangement, and must bill for such covered home health services.

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15 men brought to military enlistment office after mass brawl in Moscow Oblast

Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported .

29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

Read also: Moscow recruits ‘construction brigades’ from Russian students, Ukraine says

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Precipitation Totals in May, in

Precipitation total in May for Elektrostal is 1.5 in. It makes may one of the most rainy months of the year.

The average wind speed in May is 7.6 mph . This value is relatively stable throughout the year.

Elektrostal on the Weather Map

The pandemic exposed staff shortages at nursing homes. A new White House push aims for a remedy

W ASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday said the first rule to set minimum staffing levels at federally funded nursing homes and require that a certain portion of the taxpayer dollars they receive go toward wages for care workers is a long-overdue “milestone” that recognizes their value to society.

Harris announced the rules in Washington before she flew to LaCrosse, Wisconsin to meet with nursing home care employees. In the battleground state, the Democratic vice president also held a campaign event focused on abortion rights.

“It is about time that we start to recognize your value and pay you accordingly and give you the structure and support that you deserve,” Harris told a small group of care workers.

The federal government is for the first time requiring nursing homes to have minimum staffing levels after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed grim realities in poorly staffed facilities . The change will mean more staff at these facilities, fewer emergency room visits for residents and peace of mind for caregivers, who will be able to spend more time with their patients, Harris said.

The vice president said that Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for lower-income people, pays $125 billion annually to home health care companies, which were not required to report on how they were spending the money. A second rule being finalized Monday will require that 80% of that money be used to pay workers, instead of administrative or overhead costs, Harris said.

“This is about dignity, and it's about dignity that we as a society owe to those in particular who care for the least of these,” she said.

President Joe Biden first announced his plan to set nursing home staffing levels in his 2022 State of the Union address. Current law only requires that nursing homes have “sufficient” staffing, leaving it up to states for interpretation.

The new rules implement a minimum number of hours that staff members spend with residents. They also require a registered nurse to be available around the clock at federally funded facilities, which are home to about 1.2 million people.

Allies of older adults have sought the regulation for decades, but the rules drew pushback from the nursing home industry.

Mark Parkinson, president of the American Health Care Association, which lobbies for care facilities, said Monday in a statement that the organization was disappointed and troubled that the federal government was moving forward with what he said was an “unfunded mandate.”

“It is unconscionable that the administration is finalizing this rule given our nation’s changing demographics and growing caregiver shortage,” Parkinson said. “Issuing a final rule that demands hundreds of thousands of additional caregivers when there’s a nationwide shortfall of nurses just creates an impossible task for providers.”

Wisconsin Republicans echoed the staffing concerns, noting shortages particularly in rural parts of the state. In Elroy, Wisconsin, for instance, an 80-bed nursing home would be required to hire six additional nurses, but “we simply don't have the bodies,” said Wisconsin state Rep. Tony Kurtz.

Noting the added costs and requirements, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson bluntly insisted to reporters on a conference call that the rule “might sound good. It won’t work.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the change is about setting a standard for quality of care.

“We believe, that with more and more Americans going to nursing homes, it's time to make sure that quality is the standard that everyone strives for,” Becerra said in an interview.

He said the administration listened to feedback from the nursing home industry and is allowing the rule to be phased in with longer timeframes for nursing homes in rural communities and temporary hardship exemptions in places where it's hard to find staff.

The care event marked Harris' third visit to the battleground state this year and is part of Biden's push to earn the support of union workers in his bid for reelection. Republican presidential challenger Donald Trump made inroads with blue-collar workers in his 2016 victory. Biden regularly calls himself the "most pro-union” president in history and has received endorsements from leading labor groups such as the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Lisa Gordon, a certified nursing assistant who told Harris, “I've been doing this job for 29 years,” said she was grateful that Biden and the vice president were “finally getting something done.”

“I entered this field because I care about taking care of our elderly,” Gordon said during a talk with other care providers, Chiquita Brooks-Lasure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and April Verrett, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union.

“Being short-staffed is not taking care of them like they should be,” Gordon said. “They didn't ask to be there. Your residents are your family. They're your loved ones. We need these changes.”

The coronavirus pandemic, which claimed more than 167,000 nursing home residents in the U.S., exposed the poor staffing levels at the facilities and led many workers to leave the industry. Advocates for the elderly and disabled reported residents who were neglected, going without meals and water or kept in soiled diapers for too long. Experts said staffing levels are the most important marker for quality of care.

The new rules call for staffing equivalent to 3.48 hours per resident per day, just over half an hour of it coming from registered nurses. The government said that means a facility with 100 residents would need two or three registered nurses and 10 or 11 nurse aides as well as two additional nurse staff per shift to meet the new standards.

The average U.S. nursing home already has overall caregiver staffing of about 3.6 hours per resident per day, including RN staffing just above the half-hour mark, but the government said a majority of the country’s roughly 15,000 nursing homes would have to add staff under the new regulation.

The new thresholds are still lower than those that had long been eyed by advocates after a landmark 2001 study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommended an average of 4.1 hours of nursing care per resident daily.

Associated Press writer Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report.