INTRODUCTION
When you are an older person living at home you may need home health care services. If you live in North Carolina, you may be eligible for home care services to visit you, and appropriately manage your care. Read on to learn more about managed care and understand your rights and responsibilities.
HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE NC
The Medicaid program launched last year enables North Carolina Health Choice beneficiaries to understand the changes to the program as it moves toward Medical Managed Care. It offers to help those who have trouble accessing health care. Under NC Medicaid programs you can find out about ‘health care services near me’ This way you can be referred and connected with the community services to support, social services and housing support, and your health-related needs. Home health care services are a part of this, and to get the care you need, contact us.
The Ombudsman Program was launched to help beneficiaries to understand the Medicaid program and changes as the State moves to Managed Care and to educate the public about what is involved in the program. An advocate was appointed to help the residents resolve impediments standing in the way of getting the care they needed. There is a range of community services to support varying health-related needs including legal, social, and a variety of other supports. For older people, this is a lot to take in and the Ombudsmen was able to report back issues learned from meeting with the public and have them resolved at a state level.
If you are old and fragile, you may require some in-home care to maintain your independence, and remain in your own home for as long as possible. You could be a low-income senior or a single parent and once you are assessed and approved for Medicaid you are assigned to a medical care provider chosen by you. Having all your care carried out by a single provider is the best-managed care model and the services provided include the following.
- Annual check-ups
- Immunization
- Pap Smears
- Prescription medicines
- Phone the practice day or night when you are unwell
Your care manager will help you navigate health issues as well as managing and understanding your health, and if you need a referral to specialist care they will help you to get the care you need to resolve your health problems. This is a bonus for older people who are often reluctant to talk about medical conditions to friends and family.
If you have difficulty deciding on your doctor ask your DSS caseworker to help you choose the right Primary Care Providor ( Physician) for you.
You may have a chronic health condition, like diabetes, and you will then be connected with the right services for your special needs.
NC Medicaid will approve or deny your request for a medical exemption. If your request is denied call your caseworker to choose the right provider or health home for you. If you find that you are unhappy with your health at home or doctor, once again contact your DSS caseworker to help find you a better fit. Benefits may vary depending on age and income and health care needs.
TO GET STARTED
Once you are approved for NC Health Choice Programs, you will receive an ID in the mail and one NC Health Choice card for each eligible person in your family. You must then do the following:
- Sign the ID card
- Present the card to the doctor, and pharmacist at each visit to confirm eligibility
- If you change your name you will need to apply for a new card.
- If you lose your card contact the DSS and request a replacement.
YOUR HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES NC ASK YOU TO KEEP INFORMATION UPDATED
It is important that your health is monitored on an ongoing basis, and if you move you notify the department of your new address.
Reasons to notify DSS are:
- New address
- New baby in the house
- Change of partner or living arrangement
- Changes in a family dynamic, divorce, or death.
CONCLUSION
Home health care services in NC have your best interests at heart, so don’t be afraid to contact them.
