How it works
How home health care works, step by step
From the first call to the last visit, here's what to expect when Violet cares for someone you love.
- 1
Reach out or get a referral
Families can contact our office directly. Physicians, hospital discharge planners and case managers can send a referral. Either way, we start by listening.
- 2
We confirm orders and coverage
We contact the physician for orders and verify Medicare or insurance benefits, so you know what's covered before care begins.
- 3
RN start-of-care visit
A registered nurse visits the home for a full assessment of health history, medications, home safety and the patient's own goals.
- 4
Plan of care
The nurse drafts a plan with visit frequency and goals. The physician reviews and signs it.
- 5
Scheduled visits
Nurses, therapists and aides visit as ordered. Each visit has a purpose tied to the plan.
- 6
Updates and discharge
We report progress to the doctor, adjust as needed, and prepare the patient and family for life after home health.
Example plan
Heart failure, home from the hospital
- Day 1 RN start-of-care visit, vital signs and a medication check against the discharge papers.
- Day 2 Daily weight and low-sodium teaching with the family.
- Day 4 Physical therapy evaluation and a short daily walking routine.
- Day 6 Nurse follow-up and a summary sent to the cardiologist.
An illustrative plan. Actual visit frequency is set by each patient's physician orders.
FAQ
Questions families ask
Do I need a doctor's order?
Yes. Skilled home health services require a physician's order and a plan of care the physician signs. If you don't have an order yet, contact us and we can reach out to your doctor's office.
Will Medicare or insurance cover it?
Medicare and many private plans cover intermittent skilled nursing at home when a physician certifies it's medically necessary and the patient is homebound. Our office verifies benefits before the first visit and explains what to expect.
How soon can care start?
We schedule the first nurse visit as quickly as orders and insurance allow, and we work with hospital discharge planners so care can begin soon after a patient gets home.
Bring the nurse home.
Planning a hospital discharge or worried about a parent at home? Reach our Canoga Park office and we'll walk you through the next steps, from doctor's orders to the first visit.
Written and medically reviewed by Aida Karamian, RN, BSN, PHN, Owner and Director of Nursing. Last updated