What Makes Freedom Home Health And Hospice Different From All The Other Agencies?

Gena Bertelsen, Community Liaison Specialist

Many times during interviews with potential clients I am asked, "What can you do that other agencies can't?" The truth of the matter is this; ALL Home Health and Hospice agencies are regulated by the Federal Government and can only offer what is allowed by the government.  In short, we ALL provide the EXACT same services.  So what makes us different from a company that is owned by someone on the East coast whose bottom line seems to be the most important thing?  A few things set us apart from the rest:

We are locally owned, kind of like the mom and pop gas station or grocery store that used to be on the corner but has been pushed out of business by big box stores and chains.  We have always been locally owned and plan to stay that way.  We believe it gives us a better outlook on the needs of the patient and their family because we live here too!

100% of our past clients would recommend us to others. I love the fact that our team has provided excellent care, educates the patient and family about the process they are going through and, in many instances, gone above and beyond the call of duty such as checking on family members at home when a loved one has a hospital stay, attending Doctor appointments with the patient to understand and communicate with the Doctor about the patients care and taking the time to get to know each patient individually.   

We serve,educate and support the community. Next to excellent patient care, our primary focus lies in serving, educating and supporting our community.  

We educate groups at every opportunity about services and resources that are available to them or their loved one whether it be Home Health, Hospice, Private Duty, Medicaid and Medicare or other topics important to caregiving.

I facilitate 3 different caregiver support groups throughout Utah County sharing information, resources and my own personal experiences to help rejuvenate and energize caregivers who may be suffering from caregiver burnout.  Click the CARE meetings tab at the top of the page for a list of meetings.  These are free and you may come to one or all.

I realize that there are many choices....and who serves you is YOUR choice...but I hope that you will consider Freedom Home Health and Hospice when you are in need of Home Health or Hospice Services. 

After all....it is the American thing to do;)

Give our office a call with any questions you may have concerning Home Health or Hospice services, 801-225-3377.

What Services Does Home Health Offer In Your Home?

   What does Freedom Home Health and Hospice Offer to patients in their home?

   Our Home Health Team can provide Nursing, Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies, Namaste Hospice Care, Cardiac Maintenance, Pulmonary Maintenance, Massage Therapy Evaluation, help with Personal Hygiene, Grooming and Dressing.  We can take care of IV Therapy, Medication Management and even Diabetic Management for those who qualify .

   In our Medicare CAHPS Survey, 100% of clients we have served say they would recommend us to their family and friends!

100%!!

  

 We could not ask for a better compliment.:)

   How do you know if you or your loved one would qualify for Home Health or Hospice services?  Just give us a call, 801-225-3377

and one of our experienced, friendly staff will help you through the process.

What is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?

   Many people get confused with Medicare and Medicaid, what each insurance covers and who qualifies.  Let’s see if we can clear some of it up for you.

   Medicare is a federally funded health insurance covering those who are 65 or older or who are disabled or have End-stage Renal Failure and require dialysis. 

   Medicare Part A covers Hospital and Rehabilitation Care as well as Hospice or End-of-Life Care. Rehabilitation Care can occur in a Hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility, also known as a Nursing Home.  Medicare offers 100 days of rehabilitation by paying 100% for days 1-20 and 80% for days 21-100.  This can get a little complicated for patients who get discharged from care before they have utilized their 100 days.  Medicare will continue to pay for Rehabilitation Care as long as the patient is participating AND making progress in therapy.  Once the patient has peaked on improvements, Medicare will have the facility give you a three day notice of Medicare benefits ending.

  There is not a fee to be covered by this insurance if you or your spouse have paid into the Social Security system.

   Medicare Part B covers Doctor’s visits, out-patient hospital care and home health services including nursing and therapies. This part of Medicare costs about $100 each month.

   Medicare Part C is an option to choose a private insurance company to manage your Medicare benefits. They generally follow Medicare rules but costs and deductibles can vary.

   Medicare Part D can help with the cost of prescriptions.

   You must actually apply for Medicare to activate the insurance.  Just because you retire does not mean they automatically cover you. You can get more information about Medicare at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-Medicare.

   Medicaid is a state funded insurance program for those who qualify. Applications are available at any Work Force Services office or online at www.health.utah.gov. Medicaid can assist with health care, financial assistance and even long-term care in a nursing facility, if you qualify.

What Is Freedom In Health Care?

What is FREEDOM? 

The dictionary states: 

FREEDOM is the quality or state of being free, the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.

    Did you know that you have the Freedom of Choice in your health care? 

   When a situation arises and we need to choose which route to take through an illness, surgery and recovery, we often let someone lead us along the path without regard to our unique circumstances.  For instance, after surgery and when being discharged to your home with home health, you should be able to choose which company you would like to serve you. 

   All home health agencies offer exactly the same services as mandated by the government.  The only difference is the people who work for that company.

  Because of the health situation my family has had in the last month, I have had the experience of feeling that choice taken away.  Long story short, my husband broke his back and after almost a week in ICU and then to another room, the Discharge Planner/Social Worker from the hospital came in to help us plan for his care when we took him home. I found that my insurance company offered only two choices for Home Health Care.  Neither of them were Freedom, the company I work for and neither of them had the therapist I had hoped could care for my husband contracted with them.  I filed an appeal with the insurance company but they have the luxury of a thirty day time period in order to answer the appeal. The insurance representative assured me that I had a choice: I could choose one of the two companies they offered and it would be paid 100% OR I could go out-of-network, incur an additional $3000 in out-of-pocket deductibles and be responsible for 40% of the bill for the visits.  

   Maybe I am an oddity, but who, in their right mind, would want to add such a large amount to an already growing stack of medical bills?  I felt as if I were being punished for making a "choice".  With over 30 agencies serving in Utah Valley, all who can offer only the EXACT same services, why did I only have two to choose from? As time went on and we prepared to take him home, I had to make a choice.  The company we went with has done a wonderful job in caring for my husband.  They have been timely, professional and very knowledgeable. I am so grateful to have health insurance to help pay for these services and grateful that my sweetheart is continuing to improve.

   People who are not insured under Medicare, specifically, have not reached retirement age, rarely use their home health benefits from their health insurance and if they do, it is even more rare that they realize there is a choice.  Once in the Medicare system, you can choose ANY Home Health Agency as they all must be certified as a provider with Medicare. That still does not guarantee you will be given a choice, you MUST speak up and let them know what YOU want, what would be best for YOUR loved one.

   For me and my husband, we have a lifelong friend who is a Physical Therapist who had suffered a similar injury about three years ago.  He has gone through the steps of learning how to walk, healing and returning to work.  I felt that he would be the best person for my husbands rehabilitation not only for his knowledge and skill of therapy but for the mental connection and understanding he would have of the situation.  This boils down to one of my first statements; All home health agencies offer exactly the same services as mandated by the government.  The only difference is the people who work for that company. Why then, would I only be able to choose from two?

   One of the greatest lessons I have learned from this experience, so far, is that I value Freedom. I think the majority of Americans do too.  I hope to be able to help everyone understand that they DO have a choice in health care and they should fight for that right.  I think it is no coincidence that I chose to work for FREEDOM HOME HEALTH and HOSPICE.  Freedom is just the American thing to do;)