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HealthCare6.com is providing parts of dataset from Medicare data (past and current) which we consider most important to normal patients. If you found out that we lacks of some information, please drop us an email at contact@healthcare6.com. However, our data is provided as-is, as a reference without any warranty, guarantee (read more in our privacy policy). You have to considered and use HealthCare6.com data at your own risks.

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Phone

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, visit MyMedicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you want someone to be able to call 1-800-MEDICARE on your behalf or you want Medicare to give your personal information to someone other than you, you need to fill out a "Medicare Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information."


TTY

1-877-486-2048


Mailing address

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

HINTS
The 5-star rating for each home health agency is calculated by HealthCare6.com based on data from Medicare database (at https://data.medicare.gov). However, it is as-is without any guarantee or warranty. It should be looked at carefully. Use it with the other information you gather.
MEDICARE This home health agency is certified by Medicare or Medicaid programs.
CLOSED The home health agency's business has been closed.

About the data

HealthCare6.com has information about the quality of care provided by 'Medicare-certified' home health agencies throughout the nation. 'Medicare-certified' means the home health agency is approved by Medicare and meets certain Federal health and safety requirements.

This information can help you or your family or friends choose a quality home health agency that has the skilled home health services you need. It includes:

  • Helps you learn how well home health agencies care for their patients
  • Shows you how often each agency used best practices when caring for its patients and whether patients improved in certain important areas of care
  • Shows you what other patients said about their recent home health care experience.
The information here is gather from CMS Home Health Compare Web site and other sources, so it should be looked at carefully. Use it with the other information you gather about home health agencies. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about the information.



Update Data

Contact your ASPEN coordinator
  • If you are a Medicare certified agency but are not listed in this database
  • If the information about your home health agency's characteristics/administrative data (name, address, phone number, services or type of ownership) is incorrect or has changed.



Glossary

Glossary Terms Glossary Definitions
Agency's Initial Date of Medicare Certification

The date that Medicare officially determined that an agency meets federal requirements to provide home health care. This date may differ from the date that the home health agency was licensed by an official agency within your State.


This information is included because you may wish to know how long the agency has met all Medicare requirements to provide home health care services. This date is associated with the agency's current Medicare provider number. An agency may request to change their provider number if there is a change in ownership. You should contact the agency to find out how long it has been in the Medicare program.

Catheter

A thin, soft tube that is placed in the urinary bladder and attached to a bag that collects the urine. It may be inserted into the bladder of people who lose control of their bladder or cannot use a toilet (for example, someone in a coma). Catheters also may be used because the urine does not drain naturally, to keep pressure sores that are not healing clean and dry, or to measure the amount of urine being produced.


A catheter should only be used when it is medically necessary. Using a catheter may result in complications, like urinary tract or blood infections, physical injury, skin problems, bladder stones, or blood in the urine.

Certified (Certification)

State government agencies inspect health care providers, including home health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, and dialysis facilities, as well as other health care providers. These providers are approved or 'certified' if they pass inspection. Medicare and Medicaid only cover care given by providers who are certified by Medicare. Being certified is not the same as being accredited.

Durable Medical Equipment

Certain medical equipment, such as a walker, wheelchair, or hospital bed, that is ordered by the doctor for use in the home.

Home Health Agency Name, Address, and Phone Number

Agency name, address, and phone number including street, city, state, and zip code.


This information is obtained from the Quality Information Evaluation System (QIES) database maintained by the State Survey Agency and updated monthly.


It is important to check with the agency for the most current information.

Home Health Aide Services

Part time or intermittent services to help you with your daily living activities.

Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey

Also known as the Patient Experience of Care Survey, the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) survey is a national survey that asks patients about their experiences with a home health agency. This information helps you learn what patients think about how well home health agencies in your area cared for them. Compare home health agencies by looking at patient survey results.


The survey covers 5 topics:

  • How well did the home health team communicate with patients?
  • How often did the home health team give care in a professional way?
  • Did the home health team discuss medicines, pain, and home safety with patients?
  • How do patients rate overall care from the home health agency?
  • Would patients recommend the home health agency to friends and family?
Homebound

To be homebound means:


  • You have trouble leaving your home without help (like using a cane, wheelchair, walker, or crutches; special transportation; or help from another person) because of an illness or injury OR
  • Leaving your home isn't recommended because of your condition AND
  • You're normally unable to leave your home and leaving home is a major effort

You may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, like attending religious services. You can still get home health care if you attend adult day care.

Medical Social Services

Services to help you with social and emotional concerns related to your illness. This might include counseling or help in finding resources in your community.

Medical Supplies

Essential items that the home health team uses to conduct home visits or to carry out services the physician has ordered to treat or diagnose a patient's illness or injury. Examples include: cotton balls, adhesive and paper tape, thermometers, dressings for wound care, sterile gloves, catheters, and syringes. The home health agency provides these supplies for their use with the patient.

Medically Necessary

Services or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice.

Medicare-covered Home Health Care Services

Medicare Parts A and B cover part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aide services, medical social services, durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers) and medical supplies, and other services. Note: You must meet certain conditions.


The list of services is obtained from the Quality Information Evaluation System (QIES) database maintained by the State Survey Agency and updated monthly.


The agency may offer additional services so it is important to check with the agency for the most current information.

Occupational Therapy

Services given to help you return to usual activities (such as bathing, preparing meals, and housekeeping) after illness either on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Physical Therapy

Treatment of injury and disease by mechanical means, such as heat, light, exercise, and massage.

Plan of Care

Written doctors orders for home health services and treatments based on the patient's condition. The plan of care is developed by the doctor, the home health team, and the patient. The home health team keeps the doctor up-to-date on the patient's condition and updates the plan of care as needed. It is the doctor, and not the home health team, that authorizes what services are needed and for how long.

Skilled Care

A type of health care given when you need skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe, and evaluate your care. Nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are considered skilled care by Medicare. In addition to providing direct care these professionals manage, observe, and evaluate your care. Any service that could be safely done by a non-medical person (or by yourself) without the supervision of a nurse is not considered skilled care.

Skilled Nursing Care

Care given or supervised by Registered Nurses. Nurses provide direct care; manage, observe, and evaluate a patient's care; and teach the patient and his or her family caregiver. Examples include: giving IV drugs, shots, or tube feedings; changing dressings; and teaching about diabetes care. Any service that could be done safely by a non-medical person (or by yourself) without the supervision of a nurse isn't skilled nursing care. Medicare covers home health skilled nursing care that is part time and intermittent.

Skilled Nursing Facility

A nursing facility with the staff and equipment to give skilled nursing care and, in most cases, skilled rehabilitative services and other related health services.

Speech Therapy

This is the study of communication problems. Speech therapists assist with problems involving speech, language, and swallowing. Communication problems can be present at birth or develop after an injury or illness, such as a stroke.

State Survey Agency

A State agency that oversees health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. The State Survey Agency inspects health care facilities and investigates complaints to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

Type of Ownership

Home health agencies can be run by private for-profit corporations, non-profit corporations, religious affiliated organizations or government entities. The type of ownership may affect agency resources and how services are organized. Quality can vary in home health agencies within each of the different types of ownership. Each agency needs to be judged on its own merits.