Home Health Essentials

About this Certificate Program

The regulatory environment in home health is daunting and yet Medicare-participating organizations are expected to navigate the multifaceted requirements with ease. This begins with a basic understanding that home health follows an insurance model like other Medicare programs, which is a physician-directed medical model of care. This Home Health Essentials certificate provides foundational information about patient care delivery by knowledgeable clinicians in diverse patient homes. Key topics addressed include team member safety considerations, knowledge of the community served, effective home visits, and knowledge of professional boundaries. An overview of Medicare documentation requirements, care planning to successfully identify and achieve patient outcomes, critical thinking, comprehensive assessments, case management, coordination of care, and chronic condition management are also covered.

Target audience

Nurses, therapists, social workers, and others who are interested in home health and those onboarding into a home care clinical, operational, and or management/leadership position.

Goals & objectives

• Describe the important role of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 7 HH.

• Identify three best practices and trends for effective documentation and care coordination.

• Review a mechanism to evaluate the value of the home visit.

• Define a patient change in condition from both a Medicare and practical perspective.

• Employ strategies presented about comprehensive assessment and case management to apply to improved performance in practice, care, and operations.