New York Home Health

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

New York is arguably the most famous place in the world – The city that never sleeps, the lush greenery outside the city limits, and all the history. Manhattan is the most famous city on earth, the center of world commerce and culture. New York is home to some of the finest dining and entertainment anywhere in the world. Anyone interested in being in the hub of culture and life comes to New York to experience the richness of the city. There are benefits for seniors in New York as well, which may add to the appeal: Social security, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and the Senior rent increase exemption are all added benefits of being an aging adult in New York. New York’s population is over 8 million, abut 15% of which are seniors and retirees. It is understood that as seniors and retirees continue to age, some may require care at some point. When people think of senior care, generally their instinct is to imagine a nursing home. This is far from reality. If a person is recovering from surgery and requires care, 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. Nursing homes are not your only option! The individual’s treatment plan (as assigned by the doctor) may include physical and occupational therapy, the monitoring of recovery, injections or wound care. The intention of home health in New York upon completion of the rehabilitation, is so the patient may resume normal function around the house after they’ve recovered.

New York is home to several well-known cities where residents may receive excellent healthcare: Manhattan, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca, among many others.

*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 initial order.

Is Home Health the same as Home Care?

Home care

Home care professionals assist with activities of daily living (ADLs). Typically, this is non-medical care. However, caregivers may work with patients to craft a plan to fit their needs. 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.  

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 in New York 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 New York 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.

The home health team consists of: 

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

What does the certified team of Home Health aides do?

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.

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.

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 New York Home Health

All Home Health agencies must operate under the purview of the New York Department of Health, and any services may only be provided by those persons who have met the training requirements as set by the Department of Health.

How much does Home Health in New York cost?

The national average cost of home health care is about $725 per week (based on 40 hours). In New York, the cost of home health will depend on the specific nature of the services. Some services may cost between $18-21 per hour. Other services may cost as much as $35-65 per hour. The ailments and recovery will dictate the necessary care and services.

Costs will vary depending on the city in which you are seeking care. Contact agencies in your area and speak with the physician in charge of the care and service plan.

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? 

Area Agencies on Aging The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These services are provided locally by contracted agencies. This webpage is intended for those who provide, or seek to provide a variety of aging services.

The Home Care Services Bureau is responsible for licensing Home Care Organizations including processing applications, receiving and responding to complaints and conducting unannounced visits to ensure compliance.

California Department of Aging Under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program.

California Rural Indian Health Board The Pit River Tribe of California’s Rancherias in the operating area are as follows: * Montgomery Creek Rancheria * Roaring Creek Rancheria * Burney * Lookout Rancheria * XL Ranch Rancheria * Likely Rancheria * Big Bend Rancheria The main site, Burney Indian Health Clinic, in Burney, CA offers full time health care in many fields. As a service to the community the Shasta County W.I.C. Program is also located at the site in Burney. A satellite office, the XL Ranch Reservation Clinic, is located in Alturas, CA (Modoc County) providing referral and outreach services. The principal referral facility is Mercy Medical Center Hospital in Redding, CA which approximately miles from the main clinic site. This facility offers general medicine with 169 medical/surgical, 14 ICU, 14 CCU, 19 Pedriatrics, 29 Perinatal, 5 Acute/Respiratory and 6 ICCN beds

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.

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid serves the public as a trusted partner and steward, dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding coverage, and improving health outcomes. 

The New York State Department of Health has been overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers since 1901 – from sanitation and vaccinations to utilizing new developments in science as critical tools in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

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Care Availability

Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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