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The Facts about Home Health Aide Supervision

Homecare Insider, May 17, 2010

Even though the rules for home health aide supervision have not changed in many years, homecare providers still have lots of questions.  These quick facts about supervision of home health aides will help clarify some important compliance issues.

• The every-two-week requirement for supervisory visits for patients receiving skilled care translates into at least once every 14 days.
• The home health aide, per federal regulations, does not have to be present for any supervisory visit for the patient who receives skilled care.  An agency must check state licensure requirements to determine whether there are any specific requirements.   
• A therapist can supervise the aide if the patient receives therapy as the only skilled service.
• There are no federal restrictions on the scope of supervision by a therapist.  If the aide is providing only personal care services, the therapist can still make the supervisory visits.
• The Conditions of Participation require a supervisory visit for patients receiving only personal care services at least once every 60 days.  Only a registered nurse can make these visits and the home health aide or personal care worker must be present and providing care.
• Neither a licensed practical nurse nor a therapy assistant can make supervisory visits.
• Only visits to the home, not telephone calls, fulfill the supervision requirements.

To check out Beacon Health’s educational resources for home health aides, click on — http://www.beaconhealth.org/cat--Home-Health-Aide--Home+Health+Aide.html.

 

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