If you’re a veteran living in Illinois, you may be entitled to home health care services through the VA Community Care Network (VACCN). At HomeHealth, Inc. is proud to be an in-network participating provider for all Illinois VA facilities, helping veterans access the care they need in the comfort of their own homes.
Understanding VA Home Health Care Eligibility
VA home health care provides skilled medical services to eligible veterans who are homebound or have difficulty leaving their homes. These services can help you recover from illness, manage chronic conditions, or maintain independence after surgery or hospitalization.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for VA home health care in Illinois, you must meet these criteria:
- VA Healthcare Enrollment – You must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have received care from a VA facility within the past 24 months (or be eligible for VA care).
- Medical Necessity – Your VA physician must determine that you need skilled home health services. This isn’t about wanting help—it’s about your medical condition requiring professional care.
- Homebound Status – You must have difficulty leaving your home without assistance, or leaving home requires considerable effort. This doesn’t mean you can never leave home—you
can still attend medical appointments, religious services, or occasional family gatherings. - Geographic Coverage – You must live within the service area of a VA facility that offers home health care. Fortunately, At HomeHealth serves veterans across 10 Illinois counties.
Service-Connected Disability and Cost-Sharing
One of the most common questions veterans ask is about cost. The answer depends on your service-connected disability rating and the nature of your care.
Disability Rating Impact
- 0% Disability Rating: You may have copays for home health services, but these are typically much lower than private insurance costs.
- 10-20% Disability Rating: Reduced copays for most services.
- 30% or Higher Disability Rating: Typically no copays for service-connected conditions.
- 50% or Higher Disability Rating: Generally no copays for any VA healthcare services, including home health care.
What’s Covered at No Cost For veterans with higher disability ratings, the following services are typically covered at no cost:
- Skilled Nursing Visits
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Medical Social Work (is provided directly from the VA, we can help connect you with your designated social worker)
- Home Health Aide services (when medically necessary is a separate service that is provided by a care giving agency, please speak to your VA primary care physician for details)
Important Note About Cost-Sharing
VA cost-sharing depends on your individual benefits and service-connected disability status. We recommend contacting your VA care team directly to understand your specific cost details before beginning services. At At HomeHealth, Inc., we handle all VACCN billing and authorizations on your behalf, so you can focus on your recovery.
Medical Necessity Requirements
VA home health care isn’t for everyone—it’s specifically for veterans who need skilled medical services at home. Here’s what qualifies:
Physician’s Order Required
- A physician’s order is required to begin any home health services. Your VA doctor must:
- Assess your medical condition
- Determine that home health care is medically necessary
- Prescribe specific services (skilled nursing, therapy, etc.)
- Establish a plan of care
Qualifying Medical Conditions
- Common conditions that may qualify for VA home health care include:
- Recent hospitalization or surgery
- Wound care needs
- Medication management requirements
- Mobility limitations requiring therapy
- Stroke recovery
- Chronic disease management (diabetes, heart disease, COPD)
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
Intermittent Care Requirement
VA home health care is provided on an intermittent basis—this means services are needed part-time or periodically, not 24/7. If you or your loved one needs around-the-clock care, other VA programs like Aid and Attendance may be more appropriate.
Illinois-Specific VA Home Health Care
As an Illinois veteran, you have access to excellent VA home health care options. Here’s what you need to know:
All Illinois VA Facilities Are In-Network
- At HomeHealth, Inc. is an in-network participating provider for ALL Illinois VA facilities. This means:
- No out-of-network concerns
- Streamlined referral process
- Direct billing to VA
- No paperwork for you to manage
Service Area Coverage
We serve veterans across 10 Northern Illinois counties:
- Cook County
- Lake County
- DuPage County
- Will County
- Kane County
- McHenry County
- DeKalb County
- Grundy County
- Kankakee County
- Kendall County
Local VA Facilities
- Illinois has several VA facilities that can authorize home health care:
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago)
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (Hines)
- Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
- Various VA community-based outpatient clinics
Your local VA facility will coordinate your home health care referral.
How to Get Started: The Referral Process
Getting VA home health care in Illinois is straightforward when you know the steps:
Step 1: Talk to Your VA Care Team
Contact your VA primary care provider or VA social worker. Explain your situation and ask if home health care might be right for you. They will assess your medical needs and determine eligibility.
Step 2: Get a Physician’s Order
If home health care is appropriate, your VA doctor will write an order for the specific services you need. This order is essential—no home health care can begin without it.
Step 3: VA Initiates VACCN Referral
Your VA care team will initiate a referral through the VA Community Care Network. They will:
- Submit authorization request
- Specify the services needed
- Provide your medical information
- Set the duration of care
Step 4: Choose Your Provider
- You may be able to choose from approved VACCN providers in your area. At HomeHealth, Inc., we specialize in VA home health care and have extensive experience working with Illinois veterans.
Step 5: Begin Care
- Once authorization is approved, we’ll contact you to schedule your first visit. Our team will:
- Review your care plan with you
- Answer any questions
- Coordinate with your VA care team
- Begin providing services
Timeline Expectations
The entire process typically takes 1-2 weeks from your initial conversation with your VA team to beginning care. We understand that waiting for care can be stressful, so we work diligently to get you started as quickly as possible.
Services Covered Under VA Home Health Care
VA home health care covers a range of skilled medical services:
Skilled Nursing
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Medication management and education
- Vital sign monitoring
- Disease management teaching
- Post-surgical care
- Injection administration
Physical Therapy
- Mobility training and exercises
- Gait and balance training
- Fall prevention
- Strength building
- Pain management techniques
- Transfer training
Occupational Therapy
- Activities of daily living training
- Adaptive equipment recommendations
- Home safety assessments
- Energy conservation techniques
- Fine motor skill exercises
Speech Therapy
- Communication exercises
- Swallowing disorder treatment
- Cognitive-communication therapy
- Memory and language exercises
Medical Social Work
- Resource connection and coordination
- Counseling and emotional support
- Caregiver education and support
- Advance care planning
- Community resource navigation
What’s NOT Covered
It’s important to understand what VA home health care does NOT cover:
Custodial Care
Services that help with daily living but aren’t medical in nature, such as:
- Bathing and dressing (unless medically necessary)
- Meal preparation (unless related to medical condition)
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship only
24-Hour Care
VA home health care is intermittent, not continuous. If you need 24-hour care, other VA programs like Aid and Attendance may be more appropriate.
Non-Medical Transportation
Transportation to medical appointments may be covered separately through other VA benefits, but it’s not part of home health care.
Common Questions About VA Home Health Care
Can I choose my own provider?
Yes, you can often choose from approved VACCN providers in your area. At HomeHealth, Inc., we’re proud to be an in-network provider for all Illinois VA facilities.
How long does VA home health care last?
The duration depends on your medical needs and your VA physician’s orders. Some veterans need care for a few weeks after surgery, while others with chronic conditions may
receive ongoing care.
What if I need care beyond the authorized period?
If you continue to need home health care, your VA care team can request an extension. We’ll work with them to ensure continuity of care.
Can family members be involved?
Absolutely! We encourage family involvement. Our team provides education and support to family members and caregivers.
What if I have a medical emergency?
VA home health care is not for emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency urgent needs, contact your VA care team.
Getting Started with At HomeHealth, Inc.
If you’re an Illinois veteran interested in VA home health care, we’re here to help. As an in-network VACCN provider, we have extensive experience working with veterans and understand the unique challenges you may face.
Our Commitment to Veterans
- We handle all VACCN billing and authorizations
- We coordinate directly with your VA care team
- We provide compassionate, respectful care
- We understand military culture and values
- We’re familiar with VA benefits and processes
Contact Us Today
Phone: 773-279-9244 Fax: 773-279-9255
Email: info@ahhchicago.com
Service Area: 10 Illinois Counties
Remember, a physician’s order is required to begin services, but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate the process alone. Our team is here to help every step of the way.
This article provides general information about VA home health care eligibility. For specific questions about your benefits, please contact your VA care team directly.