Home Health Care Agencies that accept Medicare and Medicaid are certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Presently, Medicare pays the home health agency a set amount for a specific diagnosis for home health aides and licensed skilled nursing care and therapies. These services must be medically necessary as ordered by a physician. To be qualified as homebound, the individual must require considerable and taxing effort to leave the home. Qualified individuals who go to adult day programs and to religious services are still deemed to be homebound.

Some agencies provide Home and Community Based Services under the Medicaid waiver program. Individuals must pass the ULTC 100.2 and meet financial eligibility requirements to receive these services. Skilled care is not required. Assistance is provided with personal care such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene. Agencies may also provide Medicaid home care. To receive Medicaid home care, the individual must need skilled care, as well as personal care services. To receive care, a nurse will assess the need, determine a care plan, and supervise the care that is provided. Individuals may receive acute home care (less than 60 days of assistance) or long term care (more than 60 days of assistance) depending on the nature of their needs.

Agencies may also provide private pay services. There are two models of home care. One model is where the agency hires staff and is responsible for assessments, care plans, unemployment compensation, social security benefits, insurance and other employer activities. The second model is where the agency is paid a referral fee and identifies a home care provider. The individual becomes the employer and is responsible for all of the supervision of the aid; as well as employment, unemployment compensation, self-employment taxes, bonding and insurance. These agency operations are not certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Private pay rates vary. Contact the agency to discuss your needs and cost of services for private pay services.

Some of the agencies listed, have declined to disclose prices. Consumers are encouraged to be aware and informed when working with agencies that do not disclose prices to the public.
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