Home health agencies provide care in patient homes.
Hospitals provide care for seriously ill patients, but some patients do not require around-the-clock care. Their needs may be better served by a home health agency that can provide skilled medical care in the patients' own homes.
Patients
Hospitals treat critically ill and injured patients, patients that require around-the-clock medical care or patients in need of complicated medical treatments that cannot be provided in a home setting. Home health agencies care for patients that need skilled nursing care or other medical services, but these patients do not require the type of care provided in a hospital setting.
Services
Hospitals provide a variety of medical services including maternity care, surgical care, radiology, laboratory services, emergency services, behavioral health care and cardiac care. Home health agencies provide skilled nursing care, home health aides to help with personal care, physical therapy and other services.
Cost
Home health care usually costs significantly less than hospital care. If a patient needs around-the-clock care, however, home health care may actually cost more. In addition, insurance might not cover around-the-clock care at home.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance policies cover both home and hospital care, although home care coverage may be limited. Medicaid and Medicare both cover hospital care and home care, although Medicare only pays for limited home health services.
Patient Preference
Some patients simply prefer to receive care at home in familiar surroundings. Others, especially those who live alone, might prefer to receive care in a hospital where help is available night and day.
Tags: care home, around-the-clock care, care patients, health agencies, health care, Home health agencies, hospital care