Tips for Choosing a Home Health Care Agency

1. Ask the company to show you their current license or registration.

2. Ask what services they provide and what services will specifically be provided to you.

3. Ask for a written description of fees and ask how billing will be handled.

4. Tell the home health care provider if you have insurance (long term care, PPO, HMO, auto, disability, etc.)
Ask if they will submit bills to your insurance company and accept an assignment of benefits (direct payment
from your insurance company), or will they require up front payment from you. If you are covered by
Medicare, ask if the provider is eligible to bill Medicare.

5. Ask for proof of current insurance (liability, malpractice, workers, compensation, bonding).

6. Ask how long the home health care provider has been in business, and check them online at
www.Floridahealthstat.com (click “Facility Locator”).

7. Ask if the home health care provider is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and verify the phone
number. If you are receiving skilled services (RN, LPN, PT, ST, OT, etc.) or are on life-support equipment,
the home health care provider is required to be on call 24-hours a day 7 days a week.

8. Ask who in the company you should contact if you have a complaint or a problem with the service.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration toll free complaint line is (888)419-3456

9. If you have a physical or mental condition that requires medical oversight during evacuations,
ask the home health care provider if they take care of registering patients with the Special Needs Registry.