Discussion Reply- Response 1-2 paragraphs with 1-2 references

Classmate: Alexandra Carlisle

Home health agencies or HHA's are one of the four PAC's in this module. This PAC is covered by Medicare Part A with an unlimited number of episodes(60-day periods of care) as long as the patient meets the coverage criteria (Casto, 2018). The four points of criteria for coverage are that the patient has had a face-to-face encounter with their provider within the last 90 days or within 30 days from start of care (Casto, 2018). The home health services are needed because the patient is homebound, the services were established by the provider ordering and are periodically reviewed and approved, and the plans were developed under the care of a provider (Casto, 2018). This specific PAC takes into good consideration of balancing high quality care with affordability to the patient. Since one of the points of criteria is that the patient needs to be homebound is great because a patient who has no means to get to a facility for care may not afford to do so for health services they may require to heal properly. It also shows that the patient is not well enough to leave the house, therefore would not be able to get the treatment they need otherwise. If a patient is that ill that they need home health services, they may be out of a job and living on either social security or disability and are restricted to a tight budget. Home health services ensure that these patients get the treatment they need even if they are unable to leave the house.

References:

Casto, A. B. (2018). Principles of healthcare reimbursement. MBS Direct Vital Source (6th ed.). American Health Information Management Association AHIMA