Consider provider home care if you are looking to improve the health of a loved one. This program pays Medicaid home care aids for the time they travel to their clients. This program can help you decide the cost effectiveness for in-home services and can be a wonderful way to bring family members closer together.
Maryland should reinstate the provider-home care program
Recent changes in the state's home care program have resulted in the elimination of the independent provider. This allows people to take more control of their finances and care. This decision is likely not to be good for Medicaid recipients, but for the home care assistants who were employed under the program. Although the state initially believed that the cancellation would cause a dramatic increase in costs, the Maryland Center on Economic Policy determined that this would not be the case.
Maryland Medicaid recipients may have been negatively affected by the elimination of self directed care. The state was trying to shift the burden of compliance with federal law from private employers to its citizens. Self-directed care may have better outcomes than those who receive services from agencies.
LHCSAs are licensed home care services agencies
LHCSAs (licensed home care services agents) provide personal-care services and nursing to clients from the comfort of their own homes. Many of these companies are contracted by Medicaid and Medicare to provide such services. They may also work with other agencies to provide services. These agencies are overseen by the New York State Department of Health. They are required to adhere to certain state regulations.
The DOH requires applicants to submit a business plan outlining projected expenses over the next two-months before they can apply for licenses. The plan must include salaries, office space, utilities, supplies, and other operational expenses. A balance sheet must be submitted by the applicant.
Medicaid home care aides get paid for travel time between clients
Medicaid funding comes from both the federal government or individual state governments. These two funding sources create the rules that govern this program. While the federal government has a larger role in setting the standards for the program, states have some flexibility in terms of which types of services they will cover. Particularly important is the flexibility in home care services.
Many home care providers pay their employees through Medicaid programs. Most of these programs are funded by the state and federal governments. Each state has its own rules about how much home care aides should be paid. Some states pay family caregivers but not others.
In-home care can be cost-effective
While home visits using video can complement or replace regular visits, this technology is not an affordable substitute. To be considered cost-effective, video visits should be able to reduce the time spent with each patient. This is approximately a 80% reduction for a patient who has light impairments. The reduction for average-disabled people must be less than 6%.
Recent studies have proven that home care is cheaper than inpatient care. One study examined six Philadelphia hospitals and compared the costs and re-hospitalization rates for patients receiving hospital care with home care. According to the study, home care patients saved an average of $6,500 per patient. The authors suggest that home care programs can be expanded and made more affordable by Medicaid, Medicare, and other payment programs.