Home Health Care Rights & Responsibilities

With the "baby-boomer" population growing older, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are becoming crowded. The idea of living out one's retirement years at home is a popular practice. Home health care is an industry that is rising in the health care industry.

Patient Rights

• The patient has the right to know what services he or she will be receiving, how often the services will occur, who will be providing the services, and how the services will be paid for.

Patient Responsibilities

• The patient is responsible for notifying the health care provider of any changes in insurance coverage, outside diagnosis, current medications, prior medical history, and make complaints of abuse to the appropriate parties.

Health Care Provider Rights

• Health care providers have the right to bill for all services provided to the patient with primary billing made to the patient's insurance carrier, to refer care to another provider if the patient's needs cannot be adequately met, and to hear of and explain any complaints made against them.

Home Health Care Responsibilities

• It is the responsibility of the home health care provider to provide services to the patient professionally, to notify the patient of any changes made to the services being provided, to notify the patient of any changes in the billing of services, and to provide services that are non-discriminatory.

Responsibilities and Rights of the Caregivers

• The caregivers have the right and responsibility to question any services provided by the home health care agency for the patient. They also have the right to be present when services are being provided.