FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is ‘Home Care’ Vs ‘Home Health Care’?

This is a very common question. The following should help clear it up a bit. There are two basic types of home care services – licensed home health care and private duty home care services. Home health care is medically-focused care that is usually covered by Medicare and other types of health insurance whereas private duty care is usually not. In Order To Be Eligible For Home Health Care Coverage Under Medicare: Care must be ordered by a physician. Care must be provided by a state-licensed, Medicare-certified agency providing skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. Home health care clinicians provide the services prescribed by an approved care plan. The care is highly skilled and delivered by specially trained clinicians who provide nursing or therapy services. In-Home Care (sometimes called Private Duty) includes personal care and companionship services and does not require a physician’s order because it is non-medical in nature. Private duty agencies are not limited by the rules of Medicare since Medicare does not pay the bill. It is paid for out of pocket by the client, their family, their Trust Office at the bank, or by Long Term Care Insurance policies. Both types of care are incredibly valuable and contribute to the comfort and well-being of an individual. Unlike in a home health setting where visit times and duration are limited or directed, with private duty home care the schedule choice is yours because you pick the times and days you want help (from one hour to 24/7) and the duration of service – from one day to an ongoing arrangement.



Are your home care services covered through Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance?

Medicare and Medicaid do not cover our services, as we are private pay only. If you are seeking services that can be funded by Medicare or Medicaid, we suggest you refer to Medicare.gov and Medicaid.gov for more information. We do accept Long Term care insurance that has a provision for home care. Some long-term care insurance policies will pay for our services. If you have a long-term care policy, we will assist you with the proper documentation to submit claims for your reimbursement; however, we require payment at the time services are invoiced.



Do you have to sign a contract agreeing to services for a specific length of time?

No. The only thing you agree to is: (1) not to hire our caregivers privately, (2) to pay your bill. While we do require a deposit to begin services, this deposit is refundable on your final invoice. We do not require that you commit to using our service for any specific length of time.



Who pays the caregiver?

We take care of all billing, payroll, employee/employer taxes, and liability insurance, bonding and administrative/scheduling responsibilities for you. You do not have to worry about paying extra taxes, or reporting employment information to local, state and federal agencies. Every caregiver is an employee of Living Well Senior Care, LLC.



Are your caregivers insured and bonded?

Yes.



Are your caregivers drug tested?

Yes. They are randomly drug tested.



What happens if a client or family does not like the caregiver?

If a client or family is not satisfied with our choice of caregiver, we will assign a new caregiver to the client.



Do you perform a home safety check to ensure there are no obstacles that might injure the client?

Yes, a home check to ensure safety is included in the care plan.



Are the caregivers your employees or contractors?

Our caregiver/companions are employees. Unlike some In-Home care agencies, we are not a “sitter-finding” service. We do not use third party contractors. Each caregiver is fully employed and insured by Living Well Senior Care. By paying the agency instead of the individual caregiver, you will not be responsible for paying employee taxes at the end of the year. We handle these issues for all our employees.



What if I find and hire a caregiver on my own, what is my exposure?

Living Well Senior Care follows a very through screening and interview process to provide the right caregiver for you. If you hire a caregiver individually, they are your employee and you are responsible for federal, state, Medicare, and unemployment taxes. You have to manage their time, and if they are out sick, you have no agency to provide backup coverage. Once you discharge them, they can file for unemployment. You also have liability for injury and automobile accidents involving the caregiver. For your safety, you should also confirm that the caregiver has passed a criminal background check and drug test.



Can you care for someone in a facility (hospital, nursing home, or assisted living)?

Yes. We provide services anywhere you call home.



Are there any minimums?

No. We can provide care for 1 hour or for 24 hours 7 days a week. You decide. Your cost of care will vary depending on your specific needs.



How do I get started?

Simply call us directly at 940-215-0209, or on our toll-free at 888-507-6232 or send us an email at info@livingwellseniorcaretx.com or fill out the CONTACT US form and we will contact you shortly.



What Can I expect when I call?

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