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Finding a home care agency that meets your needs may take some research, but it will be time well spent. You’ll want to review the quality of their services, if the services you need are offered, staff training and expertise, and your health insurance coverage. Most communities have several providers to choose from.

Where to look for a home care agency

Local referrals for home care agencies

• Talk with your health care team or hospital discharge planner about agencies near you. They usually have worked with different ones and know which ones can be counted on to respond best to your needs.
• Information and referral services may be offered through your local  or a local chapter.
• Ask friends in your area about home health care agencies they have used or heard about. You can also check some social media sites or the under “home care,” “home health care,” and “nurses.”

State resources for home care agencies

Contact your state’s Department of Health or Social Services to get a list of licensed agencies. If you’re looking for a Medicare-certified agency, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) or their website, .

National resources for home care agencies

National resources like the can help you find home care services near you. You can call the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345) or visit our website for information about agencies in your area. You can also check the for Medicare-certified home health services.

What to look for in a home care agency

There are many things to think about when choosing the best agency to meet your needs. First, you’ll want to talk with your health care provider  about which services you’ll need. Then you can look for agencies that offer those services. Here are some of the questions you might ask about a home care agency.

Is the home care agency reputable?

There are a number of ways you can find information about the quality of care given by the home care agency.

• Accreditation by a nationally recognized group: Check to see if an agency is accredited (certified and licensed) by a nationally recognized group, like . The Joint Commission is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs.
• Medicare certification: have to meet certain requirements for patient care and management. Many non-Medicare health plans follow Medicare's guidance on approval and certification. Payment for hospice services may depend on the program's approval or certification so check to be sure.
• State licensure: Check with your state health department to find out if your state requires a home care provider or program to be licensed.
• References from professionals: Check how long the agency has been serving your community. Discuss agencies with your health care team or ask the agency you are interested in if they can give you references.

Also, check with the , your local Consumer Bureau, or the office.

Is the home care agency a good fit for your needs?

Ask for consumer information

Be sure to ask if the home care agency can give you written information outlining services, eligibility rules, costs and payment procedures, employee job descriptions, and malpractice and liability insurance. Ask them for brochures or other available information about their services. And ask to see a copy of the agency’s patient’s rights and responsibilities information. Have them explain anything you don't understand.

What services are offered?

When choosing a home care agency, make sure that they offer the services you need. You will want to know if they offer home health care, personal care, or both. Also, check to make sure they employ the types of health care staff you need, like nurses, therapists, and home care aides. It may also be helpful to ask how much experience they have providing services to people with cancer.

Find out if the agency can provide the medical equipment or other items you need. Also, ask if the agency will teach you or a responsible family member how to use and care for the equipment. And find out who you can call if equipment problems come up at night or on weekends. Finally, ask how soon the agency can start services and if they will be able to provide the services when you need them. Sometimes, they have service limits on certain locations .

Admission to the home care agency services

The agency will accept you if they can meet your needs. Before accepting the services, ask if there are any requirements for admission and care. Sometimes, you will need a primary caregiver as a condition of admission. If you do, ask what will be expected of the primary caregiver and if you  need someone with you all the time. You may want to ask if the agency can fill in to help with care around job schedules, travel plans, or other responsibilities. Or, if you live alone, ask what other options they suggest.

Lastly, ask if the agency will work with you to find out what your insurance will cover and what your out-of-pocket costs might be.

Initial evaluation

Usually, a nurse, social worker, or case manager will evaluate you and talk about the types of services you may need. Ask where this will be done, what the evaluation will involve, and who should be present during the visit. It may be important to ask if the initial evaluation will include input from your family doctor or other members of your health care team.

Care plan

Home care agencies should offer each new patient a care plan . Many states require a registered nurse (RN) to develop the plan. It’s a good idea to ask how the plan  will be developed and if you and your family will have input. The plan should be written and copies given to everyone involved. The care plan should list specific duties, work hours/days, and the name and telephone number of the person who will be in charge of your care. The care plan should also be updated as your needs change. You can ask to see an example of a care plan.

Who will provide your care?

You may want to ask about references for home care staff and if the agency trains, supervises, and monitors its staff, caregivers, and volunteers. Ask how often the agency sends a supervisor to the patient’s home to review the care being given. Find out if the caregivers are licensed, insured, and bonded. And ask who takes questions or complaints and how are issues resolved?

How payment is handled

It is important to find out how a home care agency handles payment and billing. Read any agreements carefully before signing and be sure to keep copies. Check with your health insurance plan to find out if there are any deductibles and co-pays. For example, certain services may require a co-pay. Ask what resources the agency provides to help you find financial assistance if it’s needed.

Communication

The agency should have a 24-hour telephone number you can call any time you have questions or problems.  Ask about the procedure for calling about problems, and for making and resolving concerns or complaints. How a home care agency responds to your first call to ask about services may be a good sign of the kind of care to expect.

Emergency plan

Finally, ask if the agency has an emergency plan in place in case of bad weather, a power failure, or natural disaster. You can ask to see a copy of their plan. In an emergency, you need to know if the agency can still deliver services to your home.