With the increasing demands for skilled home health care professionals to take care of the elderly in nursing homes, the Medicare program for home health care agencies was created to provide an incentive for those agencies to provide quality care. Medicare is a federal program for medical insurance that is partially administered by the states. Medicare reimbursement is based on the cost of providing such services to enrollees. Medicare accreditation for home health care agencies is vital because it ensures that such agencies are properly qualified to provide care for their Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare accreditation for home health care agencies must be approved by Medicare Part B to participate in the Medicare program. They will have to undergo three important processes to achieve such accreditation. Such accrediting agencies can be private entities or government organizations accredited through Medicare. They may also be approved based on the type of services they render and whether they are intended for individuals only or also for employers, public and private organizations and other groups. The final consideration is the number of beneficiaries served by the agency.
There are a variety of reasons why Medicare would accredit such agencies. First, it is the process used by the federal government to determine which qualified agencies carry Medicare benefits. Secondly, Medicare wants to promote quality of care and assistance to the elderly through its reimbursing programs. In addition, Medicare needs these agencies to ensure that beneficiaries receive proper and timely treatment for various medical conditions. As such, agencies must comply with specified Medicare requirements and meet certain standards in order to maintain their accreditation.
Medicare Home Health Care agencies must meet specific requirements that are based on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) standards for home health care agencies. They have to ensure primary preventive care and basic health screening services for enrollees. They have to perform occupational and functional assessments for eligible individuals and administer appropriate treatment, if necessary. They must also provide personal assistance to enrollees and coordinate home health care with physicians and specialists. Medicare does not permit agencies to provide individualized health care and services.
To be accredited by Medicare, the agencies must undergo rigorous internal audits to ensure they are following the principles that Medicare has laid down. This ensures the quality of services they will provide to their patients. Medicare Accreditation for Home Health Care Agencies can be granted if the agency has met the minimum requirements that are identified by Medicare. The process involves an evaluation of the agency by Medicare’s Research Quality Commission (RCC).
Medicare’s Accreditation for Home Health Care Agencies can be granted if the agency has provided service to Medicare beneficiaries with quality services for at least five years. This is the minimum period of service required under Medicare. At least 75 percent of the Medicare beneficiaries who use the agencies’ services have been satisfied with their services, and most of them are dissatisfied with some aspect of the care they received from the agency. These agencies are subject to Medicare’s Quality Commission’s periodic audits. Medicare beneficiaries who need additional information on whether they are eligible for an accredited status can contact their local Medicare office.