Charleston South Carolina Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
Charleston offers an abundance of historical charm as well as warm weather with ocean breeze and port sights. This city has been ranked the top city in the US for 10 consecutive years. It is the largest and most populated city in South Carolina with a 2020 census population of 150, 277. A typical day in Charleston is hot with averages in the 80’s and winters are only slightly colder.
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.
- Charleston South Carolina Home Health: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
- Home Health in Charleston
- Cities Near Charleston SC
- Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Charleston
- Definitions of types of care
- How to pay for Home Health and available coverage
- Questions and Inquiries about Home Health
- Resources and Links – South Carolina
- Search other areas for Home Health
- Search other areas for Home Health
Home Health in Charleston
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control licenses all home health agencies in South Carolina. Regulation 61-78 covers all guidelines for home health in the state.
Federally, licensing and certifications for Home health agencies must be in compliance with state and local standards. Medicare Part B and the Hospital Insurance Act cover home health services. In order to receive Medicaid and Medicare, agencies 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.
Home Health Communities near Charleston, South Carolina
Nhc Homecare – Low Country
North Charleston, South Carolina 29406
Phc Home Health
Charleston, South Carolina 29412
Roper-st. Francis Home Health
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
Kindred At Home
North Charleston, South Carolina 29406
Amedisys Home Health Of Charleston East
Charleston, South Carolina 29414
Intrepid Usa Healthcare Services
Summerville, South Carolina 29486
Amedisys Home Health Of Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina 29406
Musc Health At Home, By Bayada- Charleston
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Brightstar Care Of Charleston
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Cities Near Charleston SC
- North Charleston – 9 miles northwest of Charleston
- Goose Creek – 18 miles northwest of Charleston
- Hollywood – 20 miles southwest of Charleston
- Rockville – 22 miles southwest of Charleston
- Woodville – 22 miles northeast of Charleston
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.
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 Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Charleston
MUSC Health-University Medical Center
169 Ashley Avenue Charleston, SC 29425-8905
Roper Hospital
316 Calhoun Street Charleston, SC 29401-1125
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive Charleston, SC 29414-5733
Resources and Links – South Carolina
South Carolina Department on Aging works with 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging and a network of local organizations to develop and manage services that help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities.
Community Residential Care Facilities this website provides a description of what qualifies as a community residential care facility and the regulations and codes of law.
South Carolina Adult Protective Services is part of South Carolina’s public safety system and is responsible for protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation by their caretakers
Vantage Point is the Pee Dee Regional Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center. They advocate and provide services for seniors and their caregivers in the six counties of the Pee Dee Region (Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro). They provide information and referral information to disabled individuals residing in the region.
Appalachian Aging and Disability Resource Center offers in-depth information about the following aging services: Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Family Caregiver Program, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Information & Referral, Nutrition Program
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.
