Billings Montana Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
The city of Billings is the perfect launchpad for wilderness sports. The mountains are close for hiking and sightseeing. The yellowstone river runs along the perimeter of the city, perfect for fishing. Hunting and rodeo.
Home health is designed for individuals who are ill with a chronic condition and need assistance with recovery after surgery and other acute health conditions. A physician orders the services, and is typically provided after a hospital stay or a skilled rehab stay. Home health allows a patient to discharge from the hospital earlier and reduce future hospital admissions. 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.
- Billings Montana Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
- About Home Health in Billings
- Cities Near Billings
- Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Billings
- Definitions of types of care
- How to pay for Home Health and available coverage
- Resources and Links – Montana
- Search other areas for Home Health
About Home Health in Billings
Home health agencies are organizations licensed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, certified by Medicare, and enrolled as a Medicaid provider. Home health is doctor ordered and covered by insurance. Services that lie under home health are: skilled nursing services, home health aide services, physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, and speech therapy services. Home health aide services are to assist with routine care not requiring specialized nursing skills and supervised by a licensed registered nurse. The purpose of home health is to postpone or prevent institutionalization by providing care on a part-time or intermittent basis until recovery and approval by a doctor.
Home Health Communities near Billings, Montana
St John's United Home Health
Billings, Montana 59101
Stella Maris Health & Hospice
Billings, Montana 59102
Compassus Home Health – Billings
Billings, Montana 59102
Riverstone Health
Billings, Montana 59101
Express Catheter Care
Shepherd, Montana 59079
Cities Near Billings
- Lockwood – 7 miles east of Billings
- Huntley – 15 miles east of Billings
- Laurel – 16 miles west of Billings
- Toluca – 37 miles east of Billings
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 .
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.
Resources and Links – Montana
Montana Office on Aging The Aging Service Bureau is housed in the Senior and Long Term Care Division under the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The office is responsible for the administration of the Older American Act through the ten Area Agencies on Aging.
Area 2 Agency on Aging is an Adult and Disability Resource Center providing information and assistance to elderly individuals and adult individuals with a disability. They connect individuals to needed services, provide counseling on long term care needs, help with applications for assistance to various programs and help develop programs to meet the needs of local residents. Area 2 serves those in Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Yellowstone, Caron, and Big Horn.
Area 5 Area Agency on Aging is an Adult and Disability Resource Center providing information and assistance to elderly individuals and adult individuals with a disability. They serve those in Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow.
Missoula Aging Services Missoula Aging Services provides a wide array of programs and services for older adults, people with disabilities and those who care for them. As a one stop shop, comprehensive services and referrals are available (both an Area Agency on Aging and an Aging and Disability Resource Center). Programs include homemaker and respite services, hospital to home transitions, retirement services, personal consultations, help with Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security, transportation assistance, Meals on Wheels, liquid supplements, congregate (group) meals, farmers’ market coupons, veteran directed care, caregiver support groups, companions for older adults, hundreds of volunteer opportunities, certified local ombudsman (advocates), onsite resource library, community classes (Medicare workshops, training for caregivers, balance improvement), elder abuse prevention, and statewide Medicare fraud prevention.
Area 8 Agency on Aging It is the mission of Cascade County Aging Services to promote an enhanced quality of life for a diverse population of older adults residing in this community by providing a comprehensive and coordinated system of services such as information and assistance, Senior Medicare Patrol, State Health Insurance and Assistance (SHIP), congregate and home delivered meals.
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.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Billings
St. Vincent Healthcare
1233 N 30th St, Billings, MT 59101
Yellowstone Medical Center
2900 12th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101
Billings VA Clinic
1775 Spring Creek Ln, Billings, MT 59102
