Home Health Agency Evaluation Checklist

Agency Name: _____________________________________________________ Contact Name: _____________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________ Email: ______________________________

Will you receive a written care plan before services begin? Will the agency work directly with you or your loved one, family members, and healthcare providers? How do they communicate with your doctor? Does the agency involve dietitians, counselors, therapists, or other specialists, if needed? Are there any limits on the types of tasks performed? What are they? Does the agency offer personal or companion care to assist with meal preparation, shopping, errands, and activities of daily living? Are these services covered by insurance? What are the times of service? Do they come at the same time every visit? Does the agency offer 24-hour care? What procedures are in place for emergencies? How will the agency or home health aide deliver services in the event of bad weather or a power outage? Does the agency provide a list of the rights and responsibilities (i.e., patient’s bill of rights) of all parties involved? Do you need to identify a primary family caregiver? If so, what are their responsibilities?

How does the agency hire and train caregivers? Is any ongoing training provided for staff? Are the caregivers licensed and insured? How does the agency evaluate the quality of the care provided? Does the agency have a quality improvement program?

Is the agency a nonprofit or a for-profit organization? Is it locally owned? Is the agency accredited by a state or nationally recognized group such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)? Are the agency and staff bonded? Does the staff wear identification? How long has the agency been in business? How many clients do they have? Does the agency conduct a state and national background check on all staff? Does the agency drug test staff members? Under what circumstances and by which methods? Can the agency provide references from doctors, discharge planners or former clients? Does the agency have a psychiatric nurse on staff? Are you comfortable with the staff? Are they positive and friendly? How many people will be providing care? Is there consistency with who will provide care?

Does the agency provide information explaining all services and fees? Does the agency have a minimum service hour requirement? What is it? How does the agency handle expenses and billing? Will agency fees be covered by health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or long-term care insurance? What resources does the agency provide for financial assistance, if needed? Does the agency offer a payment plan? If considering a home health aide, what is the hourly rate?

Visit Home Health Compare at www.medicare.gov. The website includes agency contact information, agency’s initial date of Medicare certification, type of ownership (i.e., nonprofit, for-profit, or government), services offered, as well as information about each home health agency’s quality of care and surveys of patients who have used the agency.