Home Health Agency

The Putnam County Health Department has provided home health care services to Putnam County residents for over 30 years through its Certified Home Health Care Agency. A variety of home health care services are provided to clients which utilize the expertise and skills of its professional team of nurses, rehabilitation, therapists, and social workers. The goal of the home care program is to restore clients to an optimum level of independence and wellness in the comfort of their homes using a holistic approach.

The Health Care Team
The highly-skilled professionals who comprise the health care team establish a plan of care in cooperation with the physician, the client, and family members or significant others. The Plan of Care is tailored to the client's unique characteristics, environment and circumstances. An important part of the Plan of Care is teaching the client and family how to manage illness, prevent complications, and promote wellness. The client's care is coordinated by a Nurse Case Manager who is assigned to care for the client from admission to discharge. Nurse Case Managers have extensive knowledge about community resources and can make referrals to other agencies if the need exists. Examples are Meals on Wheels for home-delivered meals and EISEP for continued home health aide services after skilled nursing care has been discontinued.

Schedule of Care
Care is provided on an intermittent basis as established by the Plan of Care. Nursing care is provided depending on the need and the physician's order. Therapy visits are generally provided once to several times a week. Home Health Aide visits can be provided to assist in personal care, meal preparation, exercise programs, and other essential needs during the recuperative period as determined by the client's needs.


Payment
Payment for home care services is made to the home care agency directly by Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Care Organizations, and other forms of private insurances. Each type of insurance establishes its own eligibility for payment. In general, most insurances, including Medicare, require that the client have a skilled nursing or therapy need following an acute episode of illness. Most insurances, including Medicare, generally cover care on a short-term basis during the recuperative phase. If eligible, Medicaid may cover some types of long-term care in the home setting. In the event that there is no insurance coverage, a sliding fee scale is applied. Some clients may be eligible for free care


How to Make a Referral
Referrals can be made by phone or fax. Referrals are most frequently made by hospital representatives if the client is hospitalized and it is determined that home care is appropriate. Referrals are also made by private medical physicians, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, other health care providers, family members, or any individual who feels that home care services are needed.

Call  (845) 278-6558 and ask to make a referral
Types of Services provided by the Certified Home Health Agency