How to Switch Home Health Agencies

Not everyone who is discharged from a hospital, nursing home or sub-acute medical facility is 100 percent well. Often, additional help is needed upon the patient's return home. This help can take the form of nurses who administer intravenous medication or do wound changes, home health aides who assist with bathing and dressing or social workers and spiritual professionals who give hospice care. Sometimes, when you are dissatisfied with the service or performance of one agency, it is necessary to switch to another.

Instructions

• 1

  Notify your present agency that you are discharging it. You will likely need to speak to a nursing or coordinating supervisor -- simply telling your aide (or aides) about the dismissal may not cancel your obligation with the agency. The supervisor may have cancellation paperwork that you need to sign. Let the company know why you wish to switch services. The company will typically offer to rectify whatever concerns you have in order to continuing serving you. If you do not wish to have any concerns looked into, be clear in stating that you wish to cancel service.

• 2

  Gather a list of home health agencies. The medical facility may have already provided you with this upon your discharge. If not, do an Internet search for home health care agencies.

• 3

  Call various agencies. Determine if they provide the services that you require and if they accept any insurance you may have. Not all agencies provide the same services, and many have limitations regarding insurance. Most accept major insurance companies and Medicare.

• 4

  Send necessary information to the agency. The new agency will need information such as your medical records and prescriptions for service. Alternately, you can arrange for a representative to come to your home for this purpose.

• 5

  Sign any necessary paperwork the new agency may have. Set up a start date.