1. What is Medicare?
The federal health insurance program for: people 65 years of age or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure with dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD). www.medicare.gov
2. What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low income and resources. This program became law in 1965 and is jointly funded by the Federal and State governments to assist States in providing medical long-term care assistance to people who meet certain eligibility criteria. www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp
3. How do you qualify for Medicaid?
In Missouri to find out if you qualify or to apply, you should contact the Family Support Division (FSD) office in the county where you live. Check your telephone book under the name of your county or the FSD website (http://dss.missouri.gov/offices.htm ) for a list of Family Support Offices.
4. How do I choose a home care provider?
The first step is to obtain a list of your local agencies. You can get this with your local telephone directory, the internet, home care organizations or by contacting the social services department at our local hospital. Once you have your list now what questions do you ask? The Missouri Alliance for Home Care has a wonderful resource on their web site. How To Choose A Home Care Provider was published by the National Association for Home Care.
5. Are home care agencies required to be licensed, bonded or insured?
The State of Missouri does not mandate all providers be licensed. If the agency is licensed then they are required to carry insurance and bonding. It is your right to ask for proof of licensure, insurance and bonding.
6. Do all home health care agencies use home care technology?
Home care technology (personal emergency response systems, vital sign monitoring, etc.) is just starting to become common among home care providers. The initial problem is “who is paying” for it! Technology is not cheap however if utilized properly it can help reduce the cost of providing home care services. At Sacred Rose we have been using home care technology for over 3 years. We are the only local agency that offers a personal emergency response system (CareLink) for our Medicare & Medicaid home health clients that live alone. Our CareVital program is proving to be very successful as well.
