Pt. wants to go on vacation- needs nurse

Specialties Private Duty

Published

Hi All,

I am hoping to get some guidance and will email agency tomorrow but today my adult pt told me she wants to go on vacation and she will absolutely need nursing care; trach, vent, o2, no functional use of extremities... I would love to travel with her but I am pretty sure the agency only pays for care provided in the home. What are other ways to do this? How do other clients go on vacation and receive care? Thank you for any input.

clearblue3

162 Posts

Specializes in assisted living.

I am surprised the agency only pays for care in the home....clients often go out in the community with their nurses so is there a certain distance from home at which they stop paying? All the nurses I know are independent and bill medicaid on their own. I know the nurse that taught my vent class said he traveled on vacation with his patient. When you bill medicaid you put down your hours, but nothing to do with location. Why does it matter where you are caring for them? Medicaid is the one paying the agency right? I say whatever the patient needs and wherever they need the care should be covered. Who is to say that they can never take a trip? The only glich I know of is that Medicaid will only pay one nurse for 12 hrs a day max so clients would have to take 2 nurses with to have round the clock coverage. I am interested to hear what others have to say about this!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The only issue is of the vacation is out of area (licensing as a nurse) and of client is willing to pay for travel/lodging for the nurse.

One agency I work for is multi state so the family cares for the client en route to the destination (insurance won't pay nurse's travel expenses) and a nurse ( or nurses) from the office local to the vacation destination provides care to the client.

maryen

95 Posts

I forgot to add that yes- it is out of state trip. California to Nevada.

SDALPN

997 Posts

Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Its possible to travel out of state. I've done it before. The family pays expenses. There is a rule about the company you are with having to have a local office so an RN/supervisor is available and can get to you if needed. The equipment company needs to approve trip since they own some equipment and contracts could have been signed agreeing to keep the equipment local. One company I know, dropped a patient for leaving the country with their vent. Patient came back, but they still dropped the patient. Also, you need to work out your work times, breaks, and time off. I also know a nurse that was caught going with a patient out of state and they kept it secret from the agency. The nurse was fired when the agency found out. Agency found out when patient was in a wreck and stuck in the hospital and the nurse was stuck injured out of state. Also, you need to be licensed in the state you are going to. I traveled with a family through a few states to get to the destination and was unable to provide care while driving through states that I wasn't licensed in. There may be more things depending on your situation. Its not bad with the right family. Worst case, they can always travel without a nurse if they choose.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

Almost entered into this type of situation. Agency manager made it clear that the client was responsible for all my expenses and they were only going to pay my normal wage.

maryen

95 Posts

Well- after more discussion with pt. and family about plans, it turns out I am not available the dates they are going on vacation. I am going to let the nurses that are available to go contact the agency about pay and any regulations. In a way I am relieved that I cannot go as it will be a lot of work. Thank you to all that responded ?

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