Fee For Service NY

[co13999]

Since getting my RN license a couple of years ago, I've been working for a homecare agency in Westchester NY. I do a lot of nursing assessments--initials, reassessments, aide supervisions... and think I'm getting quite proficient at it. It's a lot of work but I relatively enjoy my co-workers and what I do. However, the pay with no benefits keeps me looking for greener pastures. Saying that, I have applied with several agencies, in the past, to do Fee For Service nursing assessment/aide supervisions in NYC. After going through these employer interviews and finding out what they mostly pay the RNs for their services, I was appalled. For example, the average pay these companies are paying for an RN assessment is $60.00. These assessments are 3 to 4 hrs involved. Doing the math, if you start the money clock from your home door to the employer--in order to pickup the necessary paperwork, calling the client/patient--on your dime, gas and meter parking--on your dime, gaining assess to the client's home/apartment, assessing the client--45mins to 2hrs--depends on client and home setting, writing an appropriate note, bringing the paperwork back to the office you will be lucky to keep $15.00 hr. Anyway, I'd like to hear from other nurses that have worked/applied as Fee for Service nurses (past/present) here in NY. Does it work for you? How do you make it work? If so, does your agency have a hard time recruiting/keeping nurses? How much do agencies pay RN for Fee For Services/fee scale? And anything else you may want to include.

[akanini, MSN, RN]

It's so funny you touched this topic because I was thinking of this same thing today. I work salary for an agency. I would never do an assessment FFS if I leave this job. My agency pays $55. You're right, by the time you do the assessment and all the other "stuff", you don't see the money. It's just not worth it and I'm glad I'm salaried. 6 visits a day. Opening a case counts as 2. However, I must say, I LOVE Home Health!!!

[roseonye]

I work FFS and i hate it. you barely make any $$ and its cheating. I have been looking for salaried full time and can't find any.