When is a patient released from home health? Who pays for home health services?

When a patient is first evaluated, the home health team establishes a specific care plan and outlines goals for the patient. A patient is released when those goals are met and the patient or family has gained the independence required to keep the patient safely at home.

All major payors, including Medicare, will pay for home health services as long as the homebound and physician referral requirements are met. There are some difficulties with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) many of which do not cover home health services in our service area. In a few instances a letter of agreement between the home health provider and HMO may allow for a patient to receive home health coverage.