To obtain private insurance payment for this service, your doctor must state in writing that you need this type of care.
Private home care services are available from home health agencies and other private nursing agencies.
Your local American Cancer Society may also provide information about these services.
Ask the home care service how the people who give home care have been trained and how they will be supervised. You should also ask if their workers are bonded.
If your insurance company will cover home health care costs, ask your nursing service to contact your insurance company about payment. Ask if the nursing service can bill the insurance company directly.
Remember that Medicare and state medical assistance programs will not pay for a private duty nursing service.
The pamphlet, "How to Select a Home Care Agency", will be useful in choosing a private duty nursing service. The cost of the pamphlet is $1.25. To get this pamphlet you can write or call:
National Association for Home Care
519 C Street NE
Stanton Park
Washington, DC 20002
1-202-547-7424
Some people with cancer need a non-skilled person to stay with them for part of each day or even 24 hours a day. They do not need and cannot afford to pay the rates charged for a private duty nursing service. In this case, there are some options to think about:
* Relieve the person giving care for a period of time
* Read to the patient
* Do errands
c 1993, American Cancer Society, Inc.
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