Raleigh North Carolina Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Health, Licensing and Questions to ask
Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina. Locals enjoy fine dining, parks, museums, the theater, and university events. Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University and is part of the Research Triangle together with Durham (Duke University) and North Carolina Central University. Locals enjoy golfing and biking on the many bike trails. These features and more have led to Raleigh becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire and seek care.
About Home Health in Raleigh
Over 17% of North Carolina’s 10 million residents are aged 65 and older. This is the ninth largest community of aging adults in the country. Seniors enjoy living in North Carolina for the beautiful weather and great scenery. The cost of living in the state is about 10% lower than the national average. 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. Home health in North Carolina designs each individual’s treatment plan (as assigned by the doctor), which may include physical and occupational therapy, the monitoring of recovery, injections or wound care. 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. Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the patient may resume normal function around the house after they’ve recovered. The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation licenses and oversees home health agencies in the state.
Considerations when looking for care in Raleigh
In Raleigh, the summers are hot and muggy, the winters are short and very cold, and it is wet and partly cloudy year round. The capital has a population of around 500,000 residents and 15 home health providers.
Home Health Communities near Raleigh, North Carolina
Pruitthealth At Home – Wake
Raleigh, North Carolina 27608
Bayada Home Health Care, Inc.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Medi Home Health Agency
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
Centerwell Home Health
Durham, North Carolina 27705
Well Care Home Health, Inc
Raleigh, North Carolina 27613
Aveanna Healthcare
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
Transitions Lifecare
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Wakemed Home Health
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Centerwell Home Health
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Duke Home Health
Durham, North Carolina 27704
Cities Near Raleigh
- Morrisville – 14 miles west
- Holly Springs – 19 miles south
- Durham – 25 miles north
- Zebulon – 24 miles east
Pricing and How to Pay for Home Health
Generally, those people who receive home health service will not require 40 hours per week. Home health care in North Carolina may cost anywhere between $18 to $40 / hour, or may cost more if there are specific services required which are of a higher level.
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?
Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers
Duke Raleigh Hospital
3400 Wake Forest Rd
WakeMed Raleigh Campus
3000 New Bern Ave
UNC REX Hospital
4420 Lake Boone Trail
WakeMed North Hospital
10000 Falls of Neuse Rd
Local Resources and Links
Centralina Area Agency on Aging Centralina AAA serves as the lead funder for aging services in the nine county region surrounding Charlotte, NC. Direct services also include evidence-based health programs and training and education.
North Carolina Division on Aging and Adult Services The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) works to promote independence and enhance the dignity of North Carolina’s older adults, persons with disabilities, and their families through a community-based system of opportunities, services, benefits, and protections- to ready younger generations to enjoy their later years- and to help society and government plan and prepare for the changing demographics.
The NC Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) answers questions and counsels Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns. The counselors on our toll free line offers free and unbiased counseling on Medicare health care products. The North Carolina SMP Program provides assistance with Medicare/Medicaid billing errors, fraud and abuse.
Senior Legal Helpline Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Senior Law Project provides free civil legal help to North Carolinians who are 60 years of age or older. Priority is given to those with the greatest need. The Senior Law Project helps with wills, powers of attorney, public benefits (Medicaid, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income Program, Social Security Disability Insurance, etc.), abuse and neglect, unemployment compensation, housing (foreclosure, eviction, subsidized housing, repairs, utilities, etc.), consumer issues and wrongful repossession.
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.