What is the difference between Skilled Home Health and Private Duty?
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Skilled home health utilizes Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Medical Social Workers. If someone needs Skilled Home Health services, a referral from a physician is required and the patient must be homebound.
Private Duty is non-skilled services that utilize Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides and Companions. Private Duty does not require a referral from a physician.
Skilled services include specific orders from the patient’s physician, to care for a specific condition. This could include wound care, managing chronic illnesses, therapy services and post-surgical care, just to name a few. The frequency of the visits depends on each specific patient and the needs/orders required. The medical professional performs the specific skill and then leaves the home to go to the next patient. They do not provide non-medical day-to-day activities or tasks.
Private Duty non-skilled services can provide clients with tasks such as: bathing, dressing, ambulating, transfers, toileting, laundry, transportation to Doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, meal preparation and medication reminders. Private duty can also include light housekeeping. The frequency of the visits depends on the client’s needs and requests. Lake Centre Home Care requires a 4-hour minimum and can provide up to 24 hours each day. Frequency is based on client requests.
Skilled services are covered by most Medicare plans, and some Private Insurances.
Private Duty non-skilled services are an out-of-pocket expense that is not covered by insurance. Some Long-Term Care insurance policies cover a portion of services. Each policy is different and depends on the Long-Term Insurance company. At Lake Centre Home Care, clients are responsible for paying the cost and we provide the Long-Term Insurance Company with all the documents they require for your reimbursement.
Lake Centre Home Care prides itself in being able to care for our skilled patients as well as our private duty clients. Our goal is to get our patients and clients to live their best life.
