[guardwife]

I am on my second HH job. My first job managment was awful but we were always reimbursed at the IRS rate. My second emplyer does not reimburse at that rate. Currently I am getting $.44/ mile. This is in New England too where gas is so high. My question is how can HH companies decide what to reimburse. And no I can not claim this on my taxes.

[NurseHeidi]

I am starting HH in a few weeks, and I am looking forward to it (sort of). I came to this thread and I'm getting a little queasy now. I was told I would get 50 1/2 cents a mile (and I'm hoping that will be bumped up to the 58 1/2 cents). My wage is one of the higher in the hospital (I just got a raise in PACU and when I interviewed I asked how much the HH position paid - the same as the PACU position w/raise...so no paycut).

I am worried about racking up mileage on my paid off car (I commute to work 40miles rt), I am worried about where I'll be going to the bathroom during the day, worried about getting my charting done, eating, not working overtime - which I guess is so strongly discouraged that there is talk of writing people up over it. I have to buy new scrubs since I am coming from the OR...and my old scrubs are too big for me now. Oh and we have to take call...one week out of five and one weekend out of five. But HH call is much better than OR call! If I know I have a Saturday visit, then I only get overtime pay (and that is "okay" with the powers that be)...but if I get called for something that can't wait until Monday, it's double-time.

I had no idea that I could possibly chart at home...so I am going to ask about that. We have computer charting.

I am so burnt out right now with OR/PACU that I felt I could overlook a lot of my worries mentioned above. I do not like floor nursing...it's just not me (zero autonomy for one). I told myself if a Home Health position came up I would be on it.

I also came here to learn the "tricks of the trade" and the circle back method sounds great along with the charting at home.

[allele]

Our agency gives us whatever the IRS allows, we were getting the max of 50 1/2 cents per mile, and the IRS raised it to 58 1/2 cents per mile from July 1 to January 1, just got the notice. We don't get paid going to first visit or going home from last, unless we start and end at office, then we get that mileage too! No complaints, I guess, except for the rising gas prices. Bleah. Luckily I live quite close to my area. As far as pay, I'm geting paid $1.60 less per hour than I did at the hospital, BUT I'm working 40 hours a week vs. 36 at the hospital, so my yearly pay went up about $5,000. Could be worse, I guess. I'm new to HH nursing, and I'm finding that 40 hour weeks don't exist anyway, it's more like 45-50 hour weeks! I may drop to 32 hour weeks, at this rate. But I do enjoy it!

[DriBak]

My agency pays .37/mile

[cookie102]

effective today IRS rate increases to 58.5/mile
any body getting an increase from their employer???
let's compare companies/area
Gentiva---0.41/mile south carolina

[Silverblitzen]

Originally Posted by cookie102

effective today IRS rate increases to 58.5/mile
any body getting an increase from their employer???
let's compare companies/area
Gentiva---0.41/mile south carolina

Whew, first I had to convert from Kilometres. Taking 1Km to equal 0.63 miles, my .36 a Km comes to .57 a mile roughly. I think I did that right! Ontario, Canada not-for-profit HH agency.

Sue

[anticoagulationurse]

I get $.49 per mile. Federal rates are now $.58!!! Wow! That would be really nice.

[NRSKarenRN]

HR sent thi letter today:

...Health System’s policy on mileage reimbursement is to follow the IRS Guidelines. Therefore since the Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate, ....Home Health will increase mileage reimbursement to 58.5 cents per mile for all business miles driven, beginning July 1, 2008. This increase will be reflected in your July 18, 2008 paycheck.

Gotta love my employer

[NRSKarenRN]

Originally Posted by guardwife

I am on my second HH job. My first job management was awful but we were always reimbursed at the IRS rate. My second employer does not reimburse at that rate. Currently I am getting $.44/ mile. This is in New England too where gas is so high. My question is how can HH companies decide what to reimburse. And no I can not claim this on my taxes.

HH agencies decide mileage reimbursement as a cost of doing business ---what they can afford.

If you keep mile logs, you can subtract difference not paid on your taxes if you itemize....see tax advisor.

See: Revenue Procedure 2007-70 contains additional information on these standard mileage rates.

[caliotter3]

Thanks for the info Karen. Unfortunately most people can not itemize any more.