Finding Quality Home Health Care for Your Family
When a loved one needs care at home, having the right agency makes all the difference. We help you navigate the Medicare system to find trusted, certified providers in your area.
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care allows seniors and individuals recovering from surgery or illness to receive professional medical care in the comfort of their home. It's a flexible, cost-effective alternative to facility-based care.
Services may include:
- Nursing care (wound care, medication management)
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Social services & care coordination
- Home health aide services
How to Choose the Right Agency
1. Verify Medicare Certification
All agencies in our directory are Medicare-certified. Check the Certification Number (CCN) on any agency you contact to confirm active status.
2. Ask About Services Offered
Not all agencies offer all services. Make sure your needed care—nursing, PT, OT, speech therapy—is available and covered by Medicare.
3. Understand the Cost
Medicare covers 100% of skilled home health services for eligible beneficiaries when ordered by a physician. Ask about any out-of-pocket costs upfront.
4. Check References
Ask the agency for references from recent patients or families. Ask current clients about staff reliability, professionalism, and quality of care.
5. Assess Communication
How responsive is the agency? Do they explain care plans clearly? Will they coordinate with your doctor? Good communication is essential to quality care.
Red Flags: When to Look Elsewhere
- Pressure to sign long contracts — Legitimate agencies are flexible and can adjust care as needs change.
- Unwillingness to share pricing — Transparent cost information should be available before services start.
- Frequent staff turnover — Consistency in caregivers is important for quality and patient comfort.
- Poor communication from management — If they won't return calls during the intake process, service will likely suffer.
- Lack of nurse supervision — All home health agencies must have a nurse overseeing care, even for aide-only services.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Agency
- Are you Medicare-certified? (Ask for the Certification Number)
- What services do you provide, and are they all covered by Medicare?
- How quickly can you start care?
- Will the same caregiver come each visit, or will staff rotate?
- What is your protocol if a caregiver calls out sick?
- How do I communicate concerns or request changes to care?
- What training and background checks do your staff receive?
- Do you have references from recent patients in my area?
- What languages do your caregivers speak?
- Are your staff bonded and insured?
Ready to Find an Agency?
Search our database of 12,251+ Medicare-certified home health agencies by state and city.
Find Agencies in Your Area