Pediatric Home Health Agency: What To Expect

A pediatric home health agency provides personalized attention and services to medically fragile children in their home. Home health agencies can provide several services including private duty nursing, speech, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as attendant services. Not all agencies provide all services, and not all children qualify for all services. 

An agency will coordinate with parents / caregivers, physicians, therapists, and medical equipment suppliers to develop a customized plan of care. Agencies follow certain guidelines to determine medically necessary services which depend on your child’s level of care. A plan of care is developed by the interdisciplinary team caring for your child and signed by your physician. These signed orders are then sent to your insurance for review and approval. The insurance agency will ultimately decide on the medically appropriate services. 

You can expect the following from a pediatric home health agency:

• An RN Case manager to oversee your child’s case

  • An individualized, patient specific care plan

  • Nurses who will provide assessment, treatment, education and support

  • Access to information about your child’s care 

• Versatile schedules

  • Agencies work with you to choose the schedule that best fulfills your needs in accordance with the number of hours approved by your physician and insurance agency.

    • Every effort is made to fully staff your chosen schedule. However, due to nurses’ illness, vacations, personal circumstances, and / or staff shortages, no guarantee can be made that all hours are staffed.

  • You and your RN case manager will work together to approve the nurse/therapist/attendant who will be in your home

Keeping your child at home has enormous benefits for the entire family. It not only keeps your child close to you in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable, but it also relieves some stress for the family due to, among other things, missed worked and hospital visits. Choosing a home health agency to care for your child is a very important decision. You should work with an agency where you feel comfortable, and your healthcare needs are met. You always have the right to choose your home health agency.