Your care, your choice

You have the right to choose your home health provider

You may need home healthcare for many reasons, such as recovering after a hospital stay, regaining strength and mobility after surgery, or managing a chronic health condition. Your doctor may refer you to a home health agency for continued care in the home—but as a patient, it’s your right to choose the agency that provides your care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) calls this “patient choice.”

Your rights as a patient

If you have Medicare, you have certain guaranteed rights and protections. By federal law, patients of a Medicare-approved home health agency must be given a written copy of their rights.

• The right to request and receive a complete list of agencies that serve your geographical area
• The right to choose your home health agency*
• The right to have your property treated with respect
• The right to receive a copy of your plan of care
• The right to participate in decisions about your care
• The right to have your family or guardian act for you if you are unable

Not all home health agencies are created equal. There are differences in each agency and the services they provide. Look closely at each agency and the services they offer, discuss your options with your doctor, and choose the agency that best meets your needs. Your choice should be honored by your doctor, hospital discharge planner or other referring agency.

Questions for home health agency interview

Here are some questions to ask when choosing a home health provider:

1. How long has your company been in business?
2. What types of insurance and payment do you accept?
3. Is the agency Medicare-certified?
4. Does your agency offer the specific healthcare services I need, like nursing services or physical therapy?
5. Do you work with my doctor or healthcare provider to create a plan of care?
6. How soon can you schedule my start of care?
7. What is your response time after hours and on weekends if there is a crisis?
8. Do you have a dedicated triage or after hours on-call team?
9. How often do your clinicians typically visit?

You may also use a tool on the CMS website, Care Compare, to learn more about how each agency performs in providing quality care and achieving patient satisfaction. It's an official source of information about provider quality that can help you evaluate your options to make your choice.

Your choices may be limited by your insurance coverage. Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare health plans, or other health insurance plans may require that you get home health services from agencies they contract with. Call your insurance provider for more information. Visit medicare.gov for more information on patient rights.

Learn more about CenterWell Home Health

CenterWell Home Health can help you recover in the safety of home so you can gain the confidence to manage your condition independently. Click here to connect with one of our nurses. They are available 24/7 to help you determine if home health is right for you.

*Your choices may be limited by agency availability, the services the agency provides and insurance coverage. Always verify your insurance coverage before selecting a provider. Your choices may depend upon which home health agencies your plan accepts.