Trust. This is essential when considering those who provide care for you or a loved one. Fraud, identity theft and online scams are everywhere today. Securing your personal information is critical to avoid becoming a victim. In addition, there are fraudsters out there looking to take your personal information and bill for services that you or your family member did not receive or did not meet regulatory standards. They are looking to take advantage of you for their personal gain. To avoid becoming a victim, you must choose to whom you entrust your care or the care of a loved one very carefully. It all comes down to trust.
When considering your options for health care, interview your provider carefully. Beware of promises of “extra” care in the home. The expectations for Medicare and other insurances are clear, the care and services that are provided must be reasonable and necessary, and there must be a documented need. Make sure that you understand the expectations for care, and how these services will be considered and put in place. Expect them to change as your needs change. Above all, do not sign any forms unless you have all your questions answered and are clear about what to expect.
Every health care provider must also provide information on how to question services or report concerns and if the provider does not include this information, it is a red flag, and you should proceed carefully. CMS, who oversees Medicare, is looking for providers who sign patients up for hospice or home health care and bills for these services but never provide care. Many of these patients do not even know they were signed up for home health care or hospice.
Find a provider with a long history of providing quality care in your community. Ask your friends and family, and interview potential providers carefully. Mission-driven, non-profit providers often have a long history of care and connection to the communities they serve. Beware of new providers, for-profit providers with aggressive sales approaches or those who make big promises that seem too good to be true.
Choose a provider you trust. For more than 40 years, Hospice of Northwest Ohio has built trust and a strong connection to the community that no one in the region can match. Trust in us, we will be there for you.