You Can Choose Your Own Home Health Company

 There seems to be a common misconception in our country regarding the reception of home health services.

 

First of all,too many people needing home health are under the impression that if they are to receive home health services, they must accept the ongoing or company assigned to them by the discharging hospital or referring physician.  This is not only a common myth, but it is also very illegal.

 

The fact is, if you are needing home health services, all you need is a physician's order for home health services to satisfy Medicare.

 

Many physicians are affiliated with rehabilitation companies or home health companies and try to lead you to believe you must take what they give you. Patients are many time too timid to ask for something different.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth!

 

When you receive an order for home health services, you can request a specific home health company.  In fact, you can even request specific therapists, nurses, or any other facet of home health service or therapy that you like.  The discharging hospital or referring physicians are obligated to accommodate your wishes, within reason.

 

Too many medical groups have created the impression that you have to take what they recommend.  This is because many of them have some kind of vested interest in you receiving what they prescribe.

 

Some physicians have even told patients that if they didn't accept the home health company or therapist they specified, they would not write the order.

 

Again, this is illegal and Medicare would be very interested in finding out this information.