Deciding on home health care raises many questions—and that's completely normal. We've compiled answers to the most common questions families ask. If you don't see your question here, please reach out. We're always happy to talk with you.
Quick Answers
Services & Care
We provide comprehensive home health services including:
- Skilled Nursing: Wound care, medication management, chronic disease management
- Physical Therapy: Mobility training, fall prevention, post-surgical rehabilitation
- Occupational Therapy: Daily living skills, adaptive equipment, cognitive rehab
- Speech-Language Therapy: Speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication therapy
- Medical Social Work: Resource coordination, counseling, discharge planning
- Home Health Aide: Personal care, grooming, and companionship
Most visits last between 30 minutes to an hour, though duration varies based on the service type and patient needs. Skilled nursing visits typically run 30-60 minutes, while therapy sessions may be 60-75 minutes.
Visit frequency depends on your physician's orders and individual needs. Some patients receive bi-weekly visits, others may need 3 times per week, and some transition to weekly visits as they improve. We'll work with you and your doctor to determine the optimal schedule.
Our home health care is provided during scheduled visits, not 24/7 continuous care. However, we provide thorough education to family caregivers and coordinate with private duty agencies if round-the-clock assistance is needed. We're also available by phone for urgent concerns during business hours. For immediate emergencies we ask that you dial 9-1-1.
VA Community Care Network
The VA Community Care Network allows veterans to receive care from approved community providers like At HomeHealth, Inc. when VA facilities are unable to provide services in a timely manner or when it's in the veteran's best interest. We're an in-network participating provider for all Illinois VA facilities.
The process is simple:
- Talk to your VA healthcare provider about your need for home health services
- Your VA provider submits a referral through the Community Care system
- We receive authorization and contact you to schedule your first visit
- We manage all coordination and documentation with the VA
Typically there are no out-of-pocket costs as long as it is ordered by a VA Provider but cost sharing, if any, depends on your individual VA benefits and service-connected disability status.
Yes, VA authorization is required before we can begin services. However, we can expedite urgent requests for veterans in immediate need. Contact your VA provider as soon as possible to initiate the referral process.
Insurance & Coverage
We accept:
- Medicare: We are a certified Medicare Home Health Agency
- VA Benefits: Full coverage through VA Community Care Network
- Private Insurance: Most major insurance plans cover home health services
Our team will verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before starting services.
Medicare typically covers home health services if you meet these criteria:
- You're under the care of a physician
- Your physician certifies you need one or more home health services
- You're homebound (requires considerable effort to leave home)
- The agency is Medicare-certified (At HomeHealth is)
Most approved services are covered at 100% with no deductible or coinsurance for Medicare beneficiaries.
You're considered homebound if leaving your home requires considerable and taxing effort. You may still be considered homebound if you leave for medical appointments, religious services, or occasional brief outings like a walk around the block or family event.
Getting Started
Getting started is straightforward:
- Contact Us: Call 773-279-9244 or complete our online form
- Consultation: We'll discuss your needs, verify insurance, and answer questions
- Physician Orders: We coordinate with your physician to obtain necessary orders
- Assessment & Planning: Perform in-home assessment to develop your care plan
- Begin Services: Schedule visits according to your care plan
We serve the Greater Chicagoland Area, including:
- Chicagoland Counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry
- Chicago Neighborhoods: North Side, Northwest Side, North Shore, Suburban areas
- Veteran Facilities: All Illinois VAMC locations
We'll certainly try to accommodate requests when possible. If you've had a great experience with a particular caregiver, let us know and we'll do our best to schedule them, subject to their availability and your scheduling needs.
Your satisfaction is our priority. If you're ever not satisfied, please contact us immediately at 773-279-9244. We'll address your concerns promptly, adjust care plans as needed, or assign a different caregiver if appropriate. We have a complaint process in place and take all feedback seriously.
HHCAHPS
Home Health Care Consumer Assessment Survey; measures patient satisfaction, which we monitor and exceed expectations. Safety, dignity, and well-being are always guaranteed.
POC
Physician-ordered plan of care outlining individualized treatment goals and interventions tailored to each patient.
Home Health Agency
Medicare-certified organizations providing skilled services in patients' homes rather than institutional settings.
OASIS Assessment
Data collection tool used to evaluate patient outcomes and ensure quality improvement in home health services.