Home Health in Nashville, TN

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

Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. The city is full of legendary country music venues, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and historic Ryman Auditorium downtown. Nashville is the hometown of country music and the birthplace of bluegrass, with roots in R&B, and a thriving pop and rock scene. Visitors flock to the city year-round to listen to live music in the honky-tonks of Broadway and to see the famous recording studios on Music Row. Aside from being a music mecca, it’s teeming with cultural landmarks, outdoor activities, amazing food, professional sports, and other things to do that make Nashville truly unique. It’s a big city with small-town roots and southern hospitality. Whatever interests you, you can find it in Music City.

About Home Health in Nashville

The mild climate and beautiful scenery of Tennessee appeal to aging adults. The state ranks high for senior care and housing, and the healthcare system is premier in the United States. The low cost of living in Tennessee helps make it a desirable location for seniors and retirees. These factors have brought more aging adults 65 years and older to the state. As people age it is common they may require care at some point. 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. 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. 

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 Tennessee Department of Health, Board of Licensing Health Care Facilities is responsible for ensuring quality and standards of all healthcare facilities and agencies in the state of Tennessee.

Considerations when looking for care in Nashville

The hottest month of the year in Nashville is July, with an average high of 89°F and low of 71°F. The coldest month of the year in Nashville is January, with an average low of 32°F and high of 48°F.

With 692,587 people who call Nashville home, you are bound to find the right home for you or your loved one. careavailability.com results show that there are 100 agencies providing home health services near Nashville.

Cities Near Nashville

• Franklin – 21 miles south of Nashville
• Lebanon – 31 miles east of Nashville
• Kingston Springs – 23 miles west of Nashville
• Springfield – 28 miles north of Nashville

Pricing and How to Pay for Home Health

The average cost of home health services in Tennessee is $4,600 / month. This rate is based on 40 hours of home health services per week. Typically, home health is not required 40 hours per week. There are some home health services ranging around $20-22 / hour. Higher levels of services may be much more expensive. Typically, in Tennessee home health services are usually reimbursed by the state’s Medicaid program if the recipient of care is eligible. Qualifications are based on financial and care prerequisites.

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 to ask when looking for 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 Care Providers

TriStar Centennial Medical Center

2300 Patterson St, Nashville, TN 37203

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown

2000 Church St, Nashville, TN 37203

Vanderbilt Medical Center East North Tower

1211 21st Ave S Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37232

VA hospital

1310 24th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

Resources and Links – Tennessee

Greater Nashville Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging and Disability The GNRC serves as a single point of entry for older adults and adults with disabilities in need of home and community based supports and services.

Aging Commission of the Mid-South Area Agency on Aging and Disability SERVICES INCLUDE- Adult Daycare, Home Delivered Meals, Medical Equipment, Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), Medicaid Waiver Program, Personal Care, In- Home services, and Information & Referral (Home Modifications/Repairs, Legal Aid, State Health Insurance, Transportation).

Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Programs include: Congregate and Delivered Meals, Homemaker Services, Options for Community Living, Caregiver Support Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application assistance. Whether you’re a senior, an adult with a disability or a caregiver, your first call should be to your Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The statewide, toll free number connects you to the local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Regional not-for-profit agency providing information, advocacy, access and home support services to elders and persons with disabilities in the middle East Tennessee region. As a regional office, we administer funds to provide group and home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care services, legal services, ombudsman services, limited transportation services, information and assistance services, case management, Medicare insurance counseling services, health promotion services, senior centers, county offices on aging, and public guardianship services. These services are provided directly and through a number of service provider contracts in the region

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee The CAC Office on Aging is a public nonprofit agency. It has the major responsibility in Knoxville and Knox County of planning for services for senior citizens; assessing needs of older citizens and developing resources to meet those needs; coordinating services for the elderly to minimize duplication and avoid overlap–whether provided by public, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations; providing information about services and programs to older citizens and their families and connecting them to those services; and advocating on behalf of older citizens.

Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability The Commission is the designated state unit on aging mandated to provide services of the Older Americans Act and other discretionary grants.

Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services Division Adult Protective Services may assist an adult in any living arrangement including nursing homes, group homes, their own homes, homes of relatives or friends, etc.

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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