At IntegraCare, we understand that it can be confusing to navigate through the healthcare system. It is our hope that we can make this process easier by providing answers to frequently asked questions, along with access to resources for patients and families in need of Home Health, Hospice and Community Services. Below, we have provided information that may help to inform you during this time. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to being of service.
Home Health care is skilled care provided in the comfort of a patient’s residence. Care is focused on helping people manage a chronic condition and/or recover from illness, surgery, accident or change in medical status. Note that although home health providers fulfill a common purpose, not all providers are the same. At IntegraCare, we tailor our home health services to each patient during the course of treatment.
Medicare pays 100% for those who qualify. Medicaid and private insurance will also pay for home care. Benefits vary per policy and verification of benefits is required. IntegraCare will bill the appropriate payor on your behalf.
Patients must be 65 years of age or older, permanently disabled and homebound. The primary care physician must provide a referral for home health care. Patients younger than 65 may qualify if they have received Social Security disability benefits for at least two years, they currently receive Social Security benefits, or are enrolled in the railroad retirement system.
Yes. The patient can use Medicare. Further, if he or she is covered by the employer’s health insurance plan, that plan could be used in conjunction with Medicare benefits.
Yes. However, the patient must meet the following conditions:
Hospice isn’t a place; it is a service. When diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, hospice seeks to maximize quality of life for the individual and the family. Through hospice, patients and families receive a broad spectrum of support, including spiritual, physical and emotional assistance. By preserving independence, personal choice and dignity, hospice ensures that patients remain in the comfort of their chosen place of residence … surrounded by those they love. For more information, click here.
Not always. Palliative care can be provided in most long-term care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Physicians provide a referral to Hospice when a patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and life expectancy is less than 6 months.
Home Health focuses on patient recovery. Hospice focuses on facilitating comfort and providing support when recovery is no longer an option. Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of specialists including physicians, nurses, grief support counselors, social workers, aides, and volunteers. At IntegraCare, hospice centers on the patient and family. Family focus is imperative, as caregivers must feel empowered to care for the patient. Furthermore, family members must be prepared to manage the inevitable grief that accompanies this process. That is why our entire team supports the family while hospice care is actively being provided to the patient, along with offering grief counseling and bereavement after the loved has passed.
Medicare pays 100% for those who qualify. Medicaid, private insurance and HMOs will also pay for hospice care. Benefits vary per policy and verification of benefits is required. Most insurance policies cover the entire cost of hospice services, although some may require a co-pay for prescriptions. IntegraCare will bill the appropriate payor on your behalf.
The patient can then be discharged from hospice care to return to some form of aggressive treatment and even resume daily life. Additional coverage is allowed by Medicare and by most insurance should the patient need to return to hospice care.
Anyone at all can refer a patient. At that time the patient would proceed with the qualifications process.
The patient and their family should always feel free to discuss this type of care with their health care professional(s) and even their friends, because it is necessary to prepare for the type of care the patient wishes to receive at the end of life.
Once a patient is referred to IntegraCare, the office will contact the patient’s physician to ensure hospice care is appropriate. A consent form confirming that the patient understands the definition of hospice care and that it is aimed at comfort rather than an actual cure is signed by the patient.
Comprised of a Community-Based Alternative Program (CBA), Primary Home Care (PHC) and Family Care (FC), the Community Services Program provides in-home care to persons with disabilities who would otherwise require the level of care provided in a nursing facility.
For more information click here.
CBA delivers home and community-based medical services to patients over the age of 21, and includes comprehensive services ranging from highly-skilled licensed nursing to minor home modifications. Participants must be Medicaid-eligible in the community under SSI, MAP-protected status or meet income and resource requirements for Medicaid benefits in nursing facilities.
PHC and FC are non-medical personal care services provided by a supervised Personal Care Attendant, who performs tasks based on individual need and has been trained by experienced personnel. PHC is prescribed by a physician for Medicaid patients whose health problems cause them to be limited in performing activities of daily living, which is not a requirement for FC services. PHC participants must be at least 21 years of age, in need of assistance with at least one personal care task, and have Medicaid or meet certain financial requirements. FC participants must be at least 18 years of age and have met specified functional needs criteria, as determined by a state-certified caseworker.
For more information on CBA, PHC and FC visit the TX Dept. of Aging & Disability Services website.
Our exceptional team of professionals is available from 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday, for consultation or visits as needed. We also provide access to an on-call service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. View the map to find a location near you, or call the IntegraCare main number at 817.310.4999. We are looking forward to being of service.
Thank you for your interest in IntegraCare! There are a few different avenues for you to learn more about our services. On a high level, you may wish to visit our services page or request a brochure.
However, if you are a patient, caregiver or family member in need of home care, hospice or community services, we strongly encourage you to give us a call. Our exceptional team of professionals would be delighted to answer any of your questions. We are available from 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday or request a brochure. View the map to find a location near you, or call the IntegraCare main number at 817.310.4999. We are looking forward to being of service.
To find the location that will serve you, simply click here. When you reach the Locations page, you may either view the map or use our office search feature. To search, type in your zip code and the services that are of interest to you. Click “Submit” and you will see the appropriate branch location’s contact information. Of course, if you have any questions during this process, or if you would like us to route your inquiry to the right location, you may call our main office at 817.310.4999 or submit an online inquiry. We are looking forward to being of service.
