Providing
Healthcare in the Farmington Valley Since 1908...
Questions and Answers
1.
How can I obtain services from the VNA?
Anyone can make a referral to the VNA, not just doctors or hospitals.
Call us at 860-651-3539 and ask to speak with the intake coordinator.
She will discuss your situation and make arrangements for services
as appropriate.
 2.
Do I have a choice of which home health agency I can use?
Yes! Be sure you ask for the agency of your choice by name. Otherwise,
you will be assigned a home health agency based upon someone else's
preferences. Some health plans have exclusive contracts with statewide
or national home care companies, but often the VNA can negotiate
directly with these companies in order for us to provide you care.
3. Who pays for home health and
hospice services?
Services offered are typically paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, Private
Insurance and Managed Care Plans. We will be happy to contact your
insurance plan to inquire regarding coverage for services.
4. What if I don't have insurance
that covers home care or have a financial hardship?
The Farmington Valley VNA delivers services regardless of an individual's
ability to pay, within the agency's financial resources. This information
will be kept in strict confidence and we will assist in whatever
manner possible.
5. How long can I receive home
health care?
The goal of home health care is to speed your recovery and rehabilitation.
Services provided will be based upon medical need, the patient's
ability to leave home, and will be intermittent in nature. The VNA
will develop a plan of care along with your doctor to best meet
your needs and stay within the constraints of your health plan coverage.
Most home care is short in duration and supplemented by the support
of family members in the home. Your nurse or therapist will discuss
this with you as every case is different.
6. How do I know the home health
agency I choose is reputable and will provide good quality care?
Be sure your home care and/or hospice provider is a Medicare certified,
State licensed and accredited agency. These are high standards to
meet and the agency is subject to regular audits and reviews by
the Department of Health Services, Medicare, accrediting organizations
and others. You may want to inquire whether the agency is a nonprofit
or profit-making organization as the mission to deliver care to
the most needy individuals may vary. Agencies should also conduct
careful screening and selection of staff, criminal background checks,
drug screening, orientation, training and regular supervision of
home care staff. It is your right to ask whether an agency maintains
this level of quality assurance - after all, these people will be
coming into your home to care for you or a loved one. Be selective!
7. Are all VNAs part of one organization?
No! The VNA name is a trademark for a long standing, nonprofit home
care agency, usually one which has been in the community for many
years. Each VNA is a separate agency with its own staff and own
board of directors. Each VNA serves its own traditional service
area although most VNAs now overlap towns served with other agencies.
Many agency names are very similar and are not town specific, so
be sure you know the exact agencies which are using and taking advantage
of the "VNA" name, but are not agencies with the long
standing tradition, mission or reputation as your local visiting
nurse association.
8. Who do I call if I have more
questions or need information?
Call us at 860-651-3539 and ask to speak with a nursing manager.
We can provide additional details and mail out information regarding
our programs.
If you or your loved
one need home health or hospice care, follow these steps:
- If the
individual needing care is already at home, call the VNA office
and ask to speak with a nursing manager. We will gather needed
information and will arrange for services, under the direction
of your physician.
- If the patient is in the hospital, rehabilitation
center or nursing home, tell the person who is coordinating
the discharge to home (usually the discharge planner, nurse
or case manager) the exact name of the agency you wish to provide
services. They will then contact that agency directly with all
the information needed to begin services at home.
- In all cases, be sure you have your current
insurance information handy. Please specify if you have Medicare,
a Medicaid or other health plan. Having accurate information
in advance will help expedite approval for services from your
insurance company for the care you need.
- You should receive a telephone call from a
VNA nurse or therapist within one day of referral to arrange
for a convenient home visit time. During this visit, the individual
needing care will be evaluated and a plan of care will be developed
in collaboration with the physician.
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