PATIENT & FAMILY GUIDE
Understanding home health
Home health brings skilled nursing, therapy, and other appropriate healthcare services into the place you live. It can help people recover after an illness or hospitalization, manage ongoing health needs, and maintain greater independence at home.
If you or someone you love has been referred to Aspen, this guide explains how care typically begins, what to expect from visits, and how our teams work with you throughout the process.
Getting started
How home health care begins
- Referral
- Initial Assessment
- Your Care Plan
Home health often begins with a recommendation from a physician, hospital, or another healthcare professional. Whether you're returning home after a hospitalization or managing a condition that requires ongoing attention, the first step is understanding what kind of care you need.
Once a referral is received, our local team works to confirm whether Aspen can provide the appropriate services and whether your coverage and circumstances meet the applicable requirements.
An initial assessment helps our clinicians understand your health needs, daily routines, and goals. From there, we work with your physician or other authorized healthcare provider to establish a personalized plan of care.
That plan guides the services you receive, how frequently visits are needed, and how your progress will be evaluated.
You and your family should understand the plan and feel comfortable asking questions about it.
During care
What to expect from your care team
Home health is provided through scheduled visits based on your individual plan of care.
Depending on your needs, these visits may include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medical social services, or home health aide services.
Each discipline contributes something different, but the goal is shared: helping you manage your health and maintain as much independence as possible in your everyday life.
Your care team will explain the services you're receiving, involve you in decisions, and communicate with your physician or healthcare provider as your needs change.
Planning your care
A plan built around your needs
Your care plan should reflect your health needs, your goals, and the support available to you at home.
As care begins, it's helpful to understand what to expect and who to contact when questions arise.
A few things worth discussing with your care team:
What are the goals of my care, and how will we know I'm making progress?
Which healthcare professionals will be visiting, and how often?
What should I or my family be doing between visits?
Who should I contact if my needs change or I have questions?
How will my care plan be adjusted as I improve or my circumstances change?
Our goal is for patients and families to feel informed, involved, and comfortable with the care being provided.
Common questions
Common questions about home health
Answers to some of the questions patients and families ask most often.
What happens during my first home health visit?
Your first visit is an opportunity for your care team to get to know you and understand your needs. A clinician will review your health history, medications, current challenges, and goals for care. They'll also discuss your home environment and work with you to develop an individualized care plan.
You'll have an opportunity to ask questions and understand what to expect from future visits.
How often will my nurse or therapist visit?
The frequency of visits depends on your medical needs, your physician or healthcare provider's orders, and your individualized care plan.
Some patients need more frequent visits at the beginning of care, while others may need less frequent support. Your team will explain the planned schedule and review it as your needs change.
Can my family be involved in my care?
Absolutely. With your permission, we encourage family members and caregivers to participate in discussions about your care.
Your Aspen team can help them understand your care plan, answer questions, and provide appropriate education so they feel better prepared to support you between visits.
What happens if my condition changes or I need additional help?
Contact your local Aspen team if you notice changes in your health, have concerns about your care, or need additional support.
Your clinicians can reassess your needs, communicate with your physician or healthcare provider, and determine whether changes to your care plan are appropriate.
For a medical emergency, call 911.
How long will I receive home health care?
Home health care continues for as long as skilled services are medically necessary and you meet the applicable coverage requirements.
Your care team will regularly evaluate your progress and discuss changes to your care plan, including when you may be ready to complete services.
Does home health mean someone will be at my home all day?
No. Skilled home health generally involves scheduled visits from nurses, therapists, or other healthcare professionals. The frequency and duration of those visits depend on your needs and care plan.
Home health is not the same as continuous caregiving or around-the-clock assistance. If you need additional support throughout the day or night, your care team can help you understand what other resources may be appropriate.
Do I have to be completely unable to leave home?
Not necessarily. Under Medicare, home health coverage generally requires patients to meet specific homebound criteria. This doesn't mean you can never leave your home.
Medical appointments and certain other outings may still be permitted. Your physician or other authorized provider and the home health agency will evaluate whether you meet the applicable requirements.
What if I need help with bathing, dressing, cooking, or cleaning?
Some personal-care assistance, such as bathing or dressing, may be included in your home health plan when appropriate and when applicable coverage requirements are met.
However, skilled home health is different from ongoing personal-care or household assistance. Medicare generally does not cover cooking, cleaning, or personal care when those are the only services needed.
Your local Aspen team can help explain which services may be appropriate for your situation.
How do I know whether my insurance will cover home health?
Coverage depends on your insurance plan, eligibility, and the services you need.
Medicare covers certain home health services when its eligibility requirements are met. Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and private insurance plans may have different rules, networks, or authorization requirements.
Your local Aspen office can help you understand the next steps for verifying coverage.
Questions about getting started?
Your local Aspen team can help you understand the referral process, discuss your care needs, and explain what happens next.
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