Colorado Home Health

Colorado Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Health, Licensing and Questions to ask

Colorado is home to a good sized population of adults 65 years and older. Nearly 15% of the states population is aging adults. There are excellent tax exemptions which increase Colorado’s appeal, and that is not to the mention the beautiful outdoors offering activities of all kinds for everyone. Seniors living in Colorado receive good healthcare. As a result of aging, it is common some people may require care at some point. Home health services are unique in comparison with other forms of care. These services are generally provided so the patient may be in their home while receiving care, as opposed to a long-term facility like a nursing home. The individual’s treatment plan (as assigned by the doctor) may include physical and occupational therapy, the monitoring of recovery, injections or wound care. Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the patient may resume normal function around the house after they’ve recovered. Not all health services require around the clock care. Sometimes a loved one may only need help a few days a week.

There are well-known cities like in Colorado where people may receive excellent healthcare services: Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and many others.

Table Of Contents

*Take note that home health services are different from other types of care. Generally, when people think of senior care they immediately imagine a nursing home. This is definitely not the case. Nursing homes are far from your only option when providing care for a loved one.

Definitions of types of care

Home Care: Caregiver assistance related to activities of daily living, including: mobility, eating, toileting, bathing and personal hygiene, dressing and grooming or cognition support. These services are typically not covered by medical insurance and do not require a physician’s order.

Home Health: includes skilled nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy and medical social services. A home health care agency may choose to be Medicare certified to be reimbursed for their services. Home health agencies may also teach you how to care for yourself. Services ordered by a physician, covered by Medical Insurance and typically provided following a hospital or skilled rehab stay.

Rehabilitation & Therapy: treatment for an injury, illness, or pain with the goal of restoring function, including nursing and therapy services. Rehab is ordered by
a physician and services are provided by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Examples include working with a physical therapist to help you walk and with an occupational therapist to help you get dressed.

Respite Care: short term relief for family caregivers to take a break from the caregiving responsibilities and allows for a healthier and better quality of life for both the caregiver and care receiver. Respite services include: companionship, personal care, recreational activities and security. Respite care can be provided as short stay or for a longer period that allows the family caregiver to go on vacation or a business trip. Longer duration respite care is generally found at select senior housing communities although some Companion services may provide this service in the home.

Hospice Care (Palliative Care): emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family. The goals of hospice are to keep the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms. Hospice care, is typically offered in the last six months of life and covered under Medicare Part A .

Short-term or long-term care?

Home health services are generally short-term (temporary), depending on the doctor’s orders. Not all home health services require around the clock care. However, there are situations in which the caregivers continue the home health care beyond the doctor’s order.

Is Home Health the same as Home Care?

Home care

Home care professionals assist with activities of daily living (ADLs). These in-home aides may assist with personal care and health monitoring, similar to the care an individual would receive in a long-term facility or community, in the comfort of their own home. Typically, this is non-medical care. However, caregivers may work with patients to craft a plan to fit their needs.

How is Home Health different?

Senior Home Health is a level of care designed for individuals who need care while recovering after surgery and other acute health conditions. Home health is there to assist in faster recovery, and allows a patient to discharge from the hospital earlier and reduce future hospital admissions.

Service plans

These services are approved and prescribed by the individual’s doctor. Within the home health plan is a detailed description of the type (or types) of medical care your loved one will receive. It will show you the plan for what types of care professionals will be delivering the care and the schedule they will be working.

What to look for in a Colorado Home Health Agency

Most commonly, your loved one’s doctor will prescribe a home healthcare agency. Being serviced by the agency your physician has chosen is not set in stone and you may choose to use a different home health agency if you choose. If you know someone, a friend or family member who has received home health care and they were satisfied with their trained professional team, you can inquire into that agency.

Who is the home health team?

Physicians
Nurses
Home health aides
Certified nursing aides
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists

What does the certified team of Home Health aides do?

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists work to help individuals regain strength and mobility after an injury. They may help with range of motion and muscle movement, relieve pain and improve general strength. The physical therapist will implement specialized exercises and teach how to do them with detailed instructions. Along with teaching rehabilitative exercises, they will be willing to answer any questions or concerns.

Registered Nurses (RNs)

RNs perform certain medical assistance, like changing dressings, managing catheters, injections, managing medications for patients. These nurses will make evaluations of the individual when visiting.

Certified Nursing Aides

These aides are certified to visit the home and provide medical care. They may help with ADLs as well. They are trained and certified to assist with mobility devices, administer medications, help with braces, massage and help with simple dressing of wounds.

With specific training, some certified nursing aides may operate medical equipment such as oxygen ventilators. Training and certifications will vary by state.

Home Health Aides

Home Health Aides come to the home and perform medical care. They may assist with activities of daily living (ADLs): preparing meals or bathing, getting dressed and even some light housekeeping as needed. These are trained professionals who can generally administer medications and may assist with mobility devices and other tasks.

Laws and Regulations for Colorado Home Health

Licensing and certifications for Home health agencies in Colorado must be in compliance with state and local standards. Agencies are licensed by the Department of Healthcare Policy. In Colorado Medicare Part B and the Hospital Insurance Act cover home health services. In order to receive Medicaid and Medicare, agencies in Colorado must meet certain standards set out by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A physician and qualified nurses oversee the skilled nurses and the other home health professionals.

How much does Home Health in Colorado cost?

In Colorado the average hourly cost for a Home Health Aide is about $26 per hour. However, depending on where you live within the state you may pay anywhere between $21 to $60 per hour. Keep in mind a health Aide is not the same as a certified nurse or therapist, which will likely cost much more for their services.

How to pay for Home Health and available coverage

Medicare:

Generally Medicare reimburses the cost of Home health services. Medicare typically covers your loved one when recovering from an illness or an accident or a surgery.

*Medicare covers the specific ailment. When treatment is completed Medicare coverage stops.

Medicare is not a long-term care solution.

Medicaid:

Medicaid programs are put in place on a state-by-state basis. Each state will have their own regulations regarding the coverage of care. Some individuals at a certain low-income level may qualify for Medicaid Home and Community Based Service Waivers.

Veteran Aid and Attendance:

This benefit is available to some military veterans or surviving spouses.

A veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Private Insurance:

Most health insurance companies typically cover some services for acute medical needs.
Do be aware, long-term coverage vary by plan. Not all long-term insurance will assist with home health services as the needs of the person tend to be temporary.

Private pay:

Families which can afford to do so may pay for care with private funds. Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, pension payments and family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care as well.

Questions and Inquiries about Home Health

How long has the agency been serving this community?
Does the agency have any printed brochures describing the services it offers and how much they cost?
Is the agency an approved Medicare provider?
Is the agency currently licensed to practice (if required in the state where you live)?
Does a national accrediting body certify the quality of care?
Does the agency offer seniors a “Patients’ Bill of Rights” that describes the rights and responsibilities of both the agency and the senior being cared for?
Is there a care plan in place that outline the patient’s course of treatment, describing the specific tasks to be performed by each caregiver?
How closely do supervisors oversee care to ensure quality?
Will agency caregivers keep family members informed about the kind of care their loved one is getting?
Are agency staff members available around the clock, seven days a week, if necessary?
Does the agency have a nursing supervisor available to provide on-call assistance 24 hours a day?
How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
How are agency caregivers hired and trained?
What is the procedure for resolving problems when they occur?
How does the agency handle billing?
Is there a sliding fee schedule based on ability to pay, and is financial assistance available to pay for services?
Will the agency provide a list of references for its caregivers?
Who does the agency call if the home health care worker cannot come when scheduled?
What type of employee screening is done?

The Colorado Department of Health promotes health and wellness for all residents of Colorado, providing information and resources concerning health and wellness.

Local Resources and Links – Colorado

Area Agency on Aging Boulder County offers services to adults 60 and over and their adult caregivers. They also provide assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and residents of any age who live in a long-term care facility. Provides information, referral, and options counseling to anyone 18 or older with a disability as well as to older adults through the Aging and Disability Resource for Colorado program. Legal assistance is offered via one of our contractors, not directly.

Denver Regional Council of Governments Provides information and assistance for people 60 and older or 18-plus with a disability, their families, and service providers. Referrals to local resources and services.

Larimer County Office on Aging The Larimer County Office on Aging LCOA provides Information and Referral through the ADRC, Title III services including In Home Services Voucher, Chore Voucher, Respite Voucher, application assistance and options counseling. Additional services include grant management and long term care ombudsman program community education and key member of the Partnership for Age Friendly Communities in Larimer County.

Park County Department of Human Services Adult Protection Services (APS) are provided to at-risk adults age 18 and older who, due to age or disability, are unable to protect themselves and have no one to advocate on their behalf. The Adult Protection program responds to reports of Abuse (physical or sexual), Neglect (caregiver or self), and Financial Exploitation.

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments PPACG serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Colorado Springs and provides programs and services for older adults and their caregivers. A person must be 60 years of age or older to be eligible for a service provided by the Older Americans Act (OAA).

Disability Law Colorado offers legal representation, information and referrals to people with disabilities, older people, and their families.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Colorado Home Health