Have to buy a new laptop?

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I just was offered a homecare RN job here in Pittsburgh. The visit rate is 35. routine, 74. for open. Is that low for pgh? Also they told me I have to provide my own laptop, cell phone and pay for my preemployment physical. There is 2.00/day worked reimbursement for the cell phone and laptop, but only on days you actually work. As a PT casual it would only be 1-2/week. I was very disappointed, having to invest money in a job before I even start as I don't have a laptop. Am I being too picky?

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The issue of having to provide your own laptop is most concerning. Huge issue of liability and properly protecting data. Is this your first home health job? What type of experience do you have?

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I worked in homecare in 2003. We used the paper Oasis forms, the office personnel put our forms in for us. I found out I have to get the auths from insurance also. If there is a failure to get or verify auth the company can take back my money. seems strange to me

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I would not go with this company if you have alternatives.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I worked in homecare in 2003. We used the paper Oasis forms, the office personnel put our forms in for us. I found out I have to get the auths from insurance also. If there is a failure to get or verify auth the company can take back my money. seems strange to me

Legally they can refuse to pay the agency but most labor laws say the agency cannot take back earned wages unless you are a 1099/contract employee. I second the idea--find another employer. This is not typical. You need secured data that you simply cannot secure on a personal device to be compliant with 21CFRPart 11 and HIPAA. You are accepting additional liability and risk using a personal device to do electronic insurance transactions

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No, you're not being picky!

I did Home Health as an RN for over 20 years. A lot has changed. There are so many home health agencies opening up, fighting for patients. Fraud has become a problem to the point of the Feds opening up task forces to deal with Medicare Home health agencies nationwide, and some areas even have a moratorium on new agencies.

I predict that you will see that the "per visit" pay is not worth all the work and the expenses incurred. Your own phone, your own computer, pay for your own physical and TB. You are only paid "per visit." That covers the visit itself, the drive time, phone time, gas, and the time spent on the extensive amount of paperwork / homework. You may just come away with about minimum wage if you factor in the actual time and expenses.

Home Health is a rip off. Glad I chose to get out after so long. I work one place now, do my 8 hours and leave. I loved Home Health itself, but it's nice not to have homework and work well over 40 hours with no pay and no added expenses.

Also, don't let them 1099 you. That's another scheme Home health agencies are doing.. classifying you as a self-employed private contractor. They pay no taxes, no workers comp, no unemployment, no social security, Medicare, and you are stuck with a huge self-employment tax. Demand to be W-2.

Of all the fields in nursing, home health seems to be where all the fraudsters are, opening shop and hoping to score big on Medicare money.

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