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Voice Your Choice for Nonprofit Home Health and Hospice Care
Americans value their freedom, yet many don't realize that freedom extends to choosing a home health care or hospice provider.
"Medicare and Medicaid subscribers generally have the greatest freedom when selecting home health care and hospice agencies because their right to choose is built-in and both plans are widely accepted," said Jacque Anderson, Referral Center supervisor for VNA Care Network & Hospice.
Managed care groups (HMOs) have contracts with certain home health care providers, and VNA Care Network and VNA Care Hospice have established relationships with most of these HMOs and other insurers.
"Members of managed care plans should ask about their options and be actively involved in choosing an agency so they receive the best possible care for their situation," said Anderson.
VNA Care Network & Hospice recommends taking these steps to exercise your freedom of choice:
- Ask to see a list of all your options. Your hospital discharge planner, health insurer, or physician can provide a list of home health care and hospice agencies.
- If you already have an established relationship or preference for a particular home health care or hospice provider, ask for them by name. "It is not enough to ask for the Visiting Nurse or the VNA. VNA is a generic term like hospital. To ensure VNA Care Network or VNA Care Hospice provide your care, you must ask for us by using the full name," said Anderson.
- Beware of common misconceptions. "Some people think if they choose an agency that isn't part of their hospital or doctor's practice that the outside organization won't have access to important medical information. That's not the case," said Anderson. "Health care organizations are guided by the same patient privacy laws, which cover sharing information."
- Before signing up for a managed care plan, look into the benefits and restrictions. Does the plan enable you to continue using your current medical provider(s)?
- Carry VNA Care Network & Hospice's preferred patient card to show your relationship to the agency. Just show your card to whoever is arranging your care and ask them to call the Referral Center at 800-728-1862. VNA Care Network & Hospice staff will arrange services for residents of Eastern and Central Massachusetts.
To receive a free preferred patient card and carrying case, please contact VNA Care Network & Hospice at 800-728-1862 or e-mail info@vnacarenetwork.org. For TTY access call 508-751-6926.