New to HomeHealth. Please help me, please

paradiseboundRN · May 2, 2009

My first recommendation is to buy HANDBOOK OF HOME HEALTH STANDARDS by Tina Marrelli. You may even be able to get a used copy on Amazon. This book is great. It explains the home care process and the Oasis in great detail. The second recommendation is to use cheat sheets. Write down what forms you need for each type of visit, and who pays for what. Basically, if the patients primarly insurance is Medicare (Senior Citizen Federal program) home care is covered 100%. And the home care agency has to pay for all the supplies that the patient needs while in their care. The agency is paid a lump sum rate for the entire 60 days of service (episode) based on the Oasis score. Medicaid on the other hand is a state-run low income program and the number of visits, payment, and supplies will vary with programs. Really, the most important part of home care is taking care of the patient. If you have 4 years of med/surg, you already know how to do that! Trust your instincts and the paperwork will come to you. Believe me, if you turn in the wrong form, they will let you know and you can fix it. Good Luck and don't let the paperwork scare you. You will love home care!

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · May 2, 2009

Thank you so much for your response! And thanks for the info on Medicare and Medicaid! And I will definitely go get that book! Anything that will help, Im all for it. lol. Thanks

tdern · May 7, 2009

Check out the "red pin" postings that are at the beginning of this page, there are excellent links for resources there. Good luck!

muffin7 · May 7, 2009

I am new to HomeHealth and I am nervous and SCARED! The paperwork is horrible! I cant learn when to use what form. I only get 2 weeks orientation. If I NEED more, I can request more, but I guess I will never truely FEEL ready. Please someone give this nurse some advice. I have worked med/surg for 4 years and it was my first/only job since nursing school. Ive browsed on here quite a bit, but I guess one of the big differences I am having a hard time learning is the difference in Medicaid and Medicaire (what each will pay for and wont pay for). The OASIS is hard. I just feel nervous about being by myself out in the field with no one around to help me if I need it. How did you guys survive the first few weeks on your own?

Hi,

Hang in there. I just started HH two weeks ago (very part time, until I start getting my own patients or someone can't go to their own call). I really like it. I did one admit with a preceptor and then the next two on my own. I did two visits with a preceptor, to learn the 24hr IV pump. Still don't think I could do it on my own (learning). A few simple visits on my own. Tomorrow, I am doing a discharge on my own and will get an explanation on the paperwork this am. You are right the paperwork is horrible, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Do you think that they are giving you too much to soon. :eek:

You are not going to encounter every situation in the two weeks of orientation, so make sure that if you need someone to go on a visit with you that they will. I think that mine will. Honestly, the last time I started an IV was three years ago in nursing school. If you know of any good websites showing videos on procedures would you please let me know. I got on you tube and some was good and some was bad.

You will make mistakes on paperwork, but they can be corrected. So far everyone at my agency has been really helpful and nice. You are really lucky that you have med/surg exp. I have 2.5yrs OR exp, no bedside care.

Do you do your own coding/billing. Why do you have to know who pays for what?

Yes, Oasis is tricky. Keep trying!!! Ask for help!!! Your lucky to get two weeks orientation.

Let me know how it goes.