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Frequently Asked Questions About Henry Ford at Home

We are here for you for all of your home healthcare needs.To begin, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

Home Health Care

Extended Care/Private Duty Services

e-Home Care

Hart Medical

Who is eligible for home health care?

To receive Medicare-certified home health care services, a patient must meet the following criteria:

1. A patient must be under the care of a doctor who establishes and regularly reviews a plan of care.

2. A doctor must certify that a patient needs one or more of the following:

  • Intermittent skilled nursing care (care that's needed or given less than seven days a week)
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech-language therapy services
  • Continued occupational therapy

3. A patient must be certified by a doctor that he or she is home-bound. To be home-bound means the following:

  • Leaving home isn't recommended because of the patient's condition.
  • The patient's condition prevents leaving home without help (such as using a wheelchair or walker, needing special transportation, or getting help from another person).
  • Leaving home takes a considerable and taxing effort.

If a patient receives home health services, is he or she able to leave home?

According to guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a patient may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, such as attending religious services.

How does Medicare-certified home health care differ from private duty?

Unlike Medicare-certified home health care, private duty services do not require a physician’s referral, but services are almost always paid for by the individual. Care can be customized according to your preference, including the number of visits and the length of service, and include non-skilled services such as food preparation and hygiene assistance. Henry Ford at Home's private-duty provider is Henry Ford Extended Care.

Will my insurance pay for Henry Ford Home Health Care services?

Payment for Henry Ford Home Health Care services may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), other health maintenance organizations (HMOs), other preferred provider organizations (PPOs), commercial insurance or private pay. If you are uncertain, you may call us at (313) 874-6500.

What types of services will I receive with home health care?

You may receive all or some of the following services from the Henry Ford Home Health Care team:

  • Nurses: perform medication assessments and home safety assessments, check vital signs and assess for needs in your home such as medical social work or home health aide services. The nurse will visit one to three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes per visit for continued assessment and teaching regarding medications, safety, disease process, wound care, signs and symptoms of infection, and avoidance of re-hospitalization. Your plan of care will be based on your individual needs.
  • Physical therapists: provide an individual assessment, education on the use of assistive devices for ambulation and prosthetic care (if required), fall prevention and home safety. The home safety assessment will evaluate your mobility within your home environment and find ways to best reduce your risk of falls. The initial physical therapy visit will take place within 24 to 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Therapy will continue one to three times per week for up to nine weeks, based on your individual needs.
  • Occupational therapists: provide an individual assessment, teach ways of safely performing activities of daily living, including recommendations and instruction on use of adaptive equipment, and provide instruction on modifications within the home. The initial occupational therapy visit will take place within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Therapy may continue one to three times per week up to nine weeks, based on your individual needs.
  • Speech language pathologists: help treat communication disorders including speech impairments and hearing problems, as well as swallowing disorders.
  • Home health aides: Assist the patient with bathing, linen changes, oral care, hair care, etc. If the nurse identifies a need and it is agreed upon, the aide will make one to three visits each week.
  • Medical social workers: Assess the emotional impact of illness or injury, provide short-term therapeutic counseling and make referrals to community agencies.
  • Dietitians: provide education and information on how following a healthy diet can improve your outcomes and prevent complications. The dietitian may also help you develop a diet plan that supports low-cholesterol, cardiac, renal or diabetic needs.

When should I expect my first home health care visit?

The initial visit will take place between 24 and 48 hours of discharge from the hospital.

How do extended care/private duty services differ from certified home health care?

Unlike certified home health care, private duty services do not require a physician's referral, and services are almost always paid for by the individual. Care can be customized according to the patient's preference, including the number of visits and the length of service.

Why choose Henry Ford Health for private duty services?

At Extended Care/Private Duty Services, we go to great lengths to secure the trust and confidence of our patients. Our staff are carefully screened, referenced, skill-tested and fully insured. Plus, our staff are backed by the expertise of Henry Ford at Home – a part of the nationally-recognized Henry Ford Health.

Are Henry Ford extended care/private duty services limited to a patient's home?

No. Private duty services are also available for patients in facility settings such as hospitals, nursing homes or rehabilitation centers. Many individuals find this aspect of the service helpful to ensure that full comfort measures and safety needs of the patient are met.

How often is care provided with Henry Ford extended care/private duty services?

Some patients may be scheduled for as few as two hours per day while others may require round-the-clock care. The frequency and duration of visits depends upon each patient’s preference.

How are private duty services monitored?

An assessment by a licensed nurse is provided to all home-based patients to establish an individually-tailored plan of care. Throughout the course of service, the nurse also acts as a contact between you, your family, physician and other related health care professionals.

Are Henry Ford e-Home Care’s services limited to patients being seen by Henry Ford Home Health Care?

  • Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) – Referrals for the RPM program can be submitted by Henry Ford Home Health Care staff as well as some Henry Ford providers that currently collaborate with the program.
  • Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) - Currently, referrals requests for the PERS program are only available to Henry Ford Home Health Care patients.
  • Medication Dispensing System - Any Henry Ford Patient can order a Smart dispenser.

What is the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program and who can submit a referral on my behalf?

Henry Ford at Home’s Remote Patient Monitoring is a personal, in-home monitoring program that combines in-home technology with home health services to help patients better manage their chronic conditions. Participation in our remote patient monitoring program may help prevent avoidable visits to the emergency department and hospitalizations while improving your quality of life. Your Medical Provider or a Henry Ford Home Health Care team member can submit a referral on your behalf.

What is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) and who can submit a referral for me?

PERS is a personal emergency response system that enables subscribers to summon help quickly in the event of an emergency. PERS gives many people the confidence and freedom to live independently, knowing they can get help whenever they need it. Henry Ford Home Health Care team member can submit a referral for you to receive this device.

Who may benefit from a Medication Dispensing System and where can I learn more about the device, setup, and service?

The medication dispensing system is useful for people who:

  • Have one or more chronic condition(s)
  • Take multiple medications and/or have complex medication regimens.
  • May have been hospitalized already for misuse of medications.
  • May have cognitive impairment.
  • Have limited mobility and are at risk for falls.
  • Require assistance with taking their medications.

Website: Hero - A dose of calm for the whole family (herohealth.com)
Promo Code: HENRYFORD

What is Hart Medical Equipment?

If you are looking for medical supplies to take care of yourself or a loved one, Hart Medical Equipment has a wide selection and a caring staff dedicated to your satisfaction. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to helping you find solutions to your needs.

Do you have a store in my area?

We have many locations throughout Michigan and Northern Ohio. Click here for our interactive map.

Will my insurance pay for the equipment I need?

Hart Medical Equipment has been a proud Medicare Contracted Supplier. With a qualified diagnosis and a physician order, we can bill most insurance companies directly. Contact us today, and we will be happy to help you in placing your order and identifying what is covered under your current policy.

I am homebound. Do you have a website where I can see what products you have available? 

Yes! We're happy to provide this quick, convenient and secure service to all our patients. With free shipping on all orders over $25, competitive prices, and a knowledgeable and trusted support staff, we make ordering online easy and worry-free.


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