If your doctor indicates that you need home health services, you may choose an agency from the list of Medicare-certified participating agencies that provide services in your area. These agencies are certified to ensure that they meet certain Federal health and safety requirements.

Your physician, hospital discharge planner, and other referring agencies must accept the agency you choose. Although you choose, your options may be limited by agency availability, or by insurance coverage. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan, you may be required to use one of the agencies that contract with them. Call your plan for more information.

In general, as a Medicare beneficiary receiving services from a Medicare-certified home health agency, you have certain rights including the right to:

• Get a written notice of your rights before care begins

• Have your home and property respected

• Be told in advance what kind of care you will receive and when your plan of care will change.

• Participate in your plan of care and treatment.

• Get written information about your privacy and appeal rights.

• Have your personal information kept confidential

• Get information orally and in writing about what Medicare is expected to pay and what you are responsible for paying for services

• File a complaint about the quality of services and to have the agency follow up on your complaint.

• Know the phone number for your state’s home health hotline to call if you have a complaint or a question about the services you are getting.

At the following link https://www.medicare.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/10969-S-Medicare-and-Home-Health-Care.pdf , you can learn more about:

• Who is eligible for this benefit?

• How Medicare Pays for Home Health Care

• What Medicare covers

• What you pay

• “Advance notice of non-coverage to the beneficiary”.

• Your right to an expedited appeal

• Find a Medicare-certified agency

• Agency Checklist

• Specific rules for home health care agencies

• More information about home health care agencies

• Your plan of care

• Your rights as a Medicare beneficiary

• Where to File a Complaint About the Quality of Your Home Health Care

• Home Health Care Checklist

• Help with your home health care benefit questions

• What you should know about fraud

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