Home health in the Treasure Valley

What is home health care in the Treasure Valley?

Home health is skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy delivered in visits at home under a doctor's plan, covered by Medicare for homebound patients and by Idaho Medicaid and many insurers.

It is short-term and goal-directed, often after a hospital stay, and it can come to a resident in assisted living. It is not hourly personal care.

Where is home health available in the Treasure Valley?

Our directory lists 10 certified home health providers in the five counties, most in Meridian (6), Boise (2), Eagle (1), Caldwell (1).

See the full list with license or CMS details.

What does home health cost in Idaho?

Medicare covers home health for eligible homebound patients with no copay for the visits themselves.

See Idaho care costs and paying questions.

How is home health different from in-home care?

Home health is skilled, short-term and ordered by a doctor; in-home care is non-medical help such as bathing, meals and companionship, usually paid by the hour.

What does a home health agency do on a typical visit?

A nurse or therapist comes for a scheduled visit, usually under an hour, to check vital signs, manage wounds or medications, teach the family, or work on strength, balance and daily skills; an aide may help with bathing when skilled care is also being given.

Visits taper as goals are met, and the agency discharges the patient when skilled care is no longer needed. It is not a substitute for hourly help.

Who qualifies for Medicare home health in the Treasure Valley?

A person who is homebound, needs intermittent skilled nursing or therapy, and is under a plan of care certified by a doctor or other allowed practitioner after a face-to-face visit.

Home health is usually arranged at hospital discharge, but a primary care doctor can order it at any time. You may choose among agencies that serve your address; the hospital's list is a starting point, not a requirement.

How does CMS rate Treasure Valley home health agencies?

CMS publishes a quality of patient care star rating for agencies with enough data; the table shows each one with an office here.