In an earlier article, we took a look at how home care in the United States began in the 1800s and how those with the financial means hired physicians and nurses to come to their homes for care instead of having to remain in the hospital. As the saying goes, “we’ve come a long way since then”.
Today, there are more than 33,000 primary location home care and hospice providers, along with more than two million registered nurses, therapists, home care aides, and related caregivers employed by these providers. There are over 12 million patients that depend on home care and hospice providers, with this number increasing due to escalating demand from consumers and reimbursement changes. In fact, home care is the “modality of choice” for health and supportive care today.
How Home Care Is Changing
The scope of specialized home care has grown significantly over the years, with COVID-19 hastening the process. Individuals did not want to go into a medical facility during the pandemic, and those in an assisted living facility or nursing home were basically on lockdown. Home care emerged as the better option in providing patients with more emotional support and freedom.
Furthermore, a lack of access to and affordability of facilities has increased the demand for a diverse medical workforce providing care in the home. As a result, a broader range of employees and independent contractors, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are working in the home-care setting.
Because of the emphasis on reducing hospital stays, home care has become more complex, with more acute cases being treated at home. As a result, the scope of services by professionals is expanding. In addition, 26 states allow registered nurses to delegate certain tasks to home care aides, such as medication administration and tube feeding.
This combination of forces to provide care increases liability exposure in the home care setting.
You’re also seeing an increase in home hospice care. Hospice was initially used for cancer patients, but it has since expanded to provide quality end-of-life care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. The majority of people prefer to die in the comfort and surrounding of their home and family rather than in intensive care units or long-term care facilities.
Technology advancements can also assist caregivers in a variety of ways, including remote monitoring, vitals capture, medication reminders, and health alerts. Remote monitoring allows health care providers to transmit their assessments in real-time, allowing them to make necessary treatment adjustments and intervene earlier, which results in earlier intervention and fewer hospital readmissions.
Why Is Home Care the Preferred Option Among Patients?
Millions prefer home care because most people want to age in place – at home, if possible. In fact, 89% of elderly people prefer to remain in their homes. Home care will continue to be the preferred care choice as reforms and legislative changes are passed that favor funding and reimbursement.
- Home care is a safe and effective alternative to care in an institutional setting. COVID-19 magnified the limitations and risks of skilled nursing facilities. Medicare reform to provide extended care services at home will provide more access to home care.
- The Choose Home Care Act of 2021 (pending) adds a cost-effective and patient-favored home-based extended care benefit to the current home health benefit. Eligible patients can recover at home in a safe home environment with appropriate and sufficient care tailored to their individual needs while reducing Medicare spending.
- The Choose Home Care Act and the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Actwill expand post-hospitalization care options for
Medicare beneficiaries allow home health providers to safely care for eligible patients from their own homes. It would save Medicare approximately $925 million per year. The HEAT Act will also allow home health providers to care for patients via telemedicine when appropriate and ensure that providers are compensated for their efforts to protect patients and employees.
About Manchester Specialty Programs
Manchester Specialty Programs specializes in providing agents and brokers with totally integrated business insurance solutions to meet the needs of Home Care, Allied Health, Medical Staffing and Human/Social Services organizations. For more information about how our products and services can help protect your insureds and how we recognize accredited firms, please contact us at 855.972.9399.