Did you know the Kansas City Regional Home Care Association strives to provide its member agencies with practical resources and education to enhance operations and improve training and quality within our industry?
What Is Hospice
Hospice is a service, not a place. Hospice is care that comforts and supports patients and their families when an advanced illness can’t be cured. Hospice can be provided anywhere a person calls home. It treats the symptoms of advanced illness for people during their last months, weeks, and days of life. The goal of hospice is to make the most of the time that remains.
Hospice is provided by a team of professionals specially trained in end-of-life care. They manage a patient’s pain and discomfort and support the whole family around the emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of death and dying.
Hospice Facts
- Hospice is for people with advanced illnesses. Any person with an illness which does not have a cure, or in which curative treatments are not working, may be eligible for hospice. Hospice helps cope with serious illness in patients of any age, culture, beliefs, or cause of illness.
- Hospice can happen anywhere. Hospice is a service that comes to the patient. Patients at home feel better, surrounded by the faces and things they know and love.
- Hospice is a choice. Patients can leave, or “revoke their hospice status,” at any time for any reason. Patients can also come back to hospice at any time, as long as they meet eligibility guidelines.
- Patients can keep taking medicines and treatments while on hospice. Hospice patients get treatment that brings comfort and improves quality of life.
- Hospice gives medications as needed to help with symptoms. Hospice doctors try to give the smallest amount of medication that will bring relief and comfort. That means they give just enough medication to help the patient feel better, from anti-inflammatory medications to opioids.
- Family or friends provide care with support from the hospice team. Family or friends take on the role of primary caregivers, supported and trained by an expert team that makes regular, scheduled visits. Patients in assisted living communities or nursing homes are already getting care from staff. The hospice team provides extra care that works together with the facility staff.
- There is no limit to the time a patient can be on hospice. Hospice is for patients who have 6 months or less to live according to a doctor. Hospice can be extended if the doctor agrees that the patient still has less than 6 months to live and the plan of care still focuses on quality of life, not on curing a disease. In surveys, families often say “we wish we would have known about hospice sooner.”
- Hospice provides home medical equipment and supplies related to the cause of the illness. This may include shower chairs, hospital beds, toileting supplies, and more. Having these tools handy is convenient and can improve quality of life for patient and caregivers.
- Hospice supports the family. Hospice addresses emotional and spiritual pain suffered by loved ones. In fact, bereavement support for the family continues for more than a year after the death of their loved one.
- 99% of hospice patients do not have any out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare Part A covers up to 100% of the cost of hospice care related to a hospice-eligible patient’s illness with no deductible or co-payment. For patients with Medicare Advantage, hospice is covered by original Medicare in most situations. Patients with a private or employer-provided health plan should check with their insurance provider for details about hospice eligibility, coverage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Medicaid provides hospice coverage, but it varies by state. In Kansas and Missouri, hospice is covered at 100% by Medicaid.
- Beacon of Hope Hospice
- Brighton Hospice of Kansas
- Crossroads Hospice of Kansas
- Crossroads Hospice
- Evergreen Hospice
- Harbor Hospice of Missouri
- Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care
- Kansas Palliative and Hospice Care
- Mosaic LifeCare
- Novus LifeCare
- Olathe Health
- St. Croix Hospice
- Three Oaks Hospice
- Village Hospice
- VITAS Healthcare
- VNA Hospice
What is Home Health
Home health care is a range of skilled rehab services that are provided in a client’s home. The standard rehab services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and a social worker. The goal of home health care is to help you recover from an illness or an injury providing things such as wound care, therapy to help regain strength, labs, and education on medication or a new diagnosis. The home health team works under the direction of your primary care physician to help clients get better and safely regain their independence while in the comfort of their home. Home health care is covered by Medicare Part A and most major insurance plans.
- Provide education, encouragement and support to patients and their families to help them attain the highest level of health and independence.
- Actively coordinate with providers to ensure patients and families receive comprehensive home care.
- Patients and families assist the home health team in developing a personalized care plan and are encouraged to be involved in patient therapy.
- Consistent care between the home health staff and patient/family gives the best results and quickest recovery.
- Use a multi-specialty approach to patient care and case management.
- Provides patients with a smooth transition from hospital to home by helping coordinate all the details of hospital discharge.
- Aquinas Home Health
- Children’s Mercy Home Health
- Lakeview Village Home Health
- North Kansas City Hospital Home Health
- Novus Lifecare
- Spectrum Home Health
- Village Home Health
- VNA Home Health
What is Home Care – referred to as Private Duty Care
Private Care Duty provides carefully selected caregivers to assist people with a wide variety of needs both in and out of their homes. A caregiver plays many roles: companion, aide, cook, housekeeper, and chauffeur are examples. They will help with activities of daily living and reminders for medications. Most importantly, they are giving, caring individuals who truly believe they should provide assistance to those in need, in whatever way possible to keep you safe at home. Hours can be flexible to fit your schedule and needs. Most private duty is private pay, but may be covered by long term care, VA assistance, or Medicaid.
Examples of what private duty can assist with:
- Bathing, grooming and hygiene
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Meal preparation / assistance with eating
- Running errands (prescription pick-up, groceries, etc.)
- Organizing and reading mail
- Transportation (accompanying to medical appointments, shopping, beauty salon, etc.)
- Reminder services (medications, dates, routines, etc.)
- Ambulation and exercise assistance
- Respite care or relief for family
- Specialized care services such as dementia and end-of-life care
- Private duty can collaborate with Home Health and Hospice to supplement the extra help at home families may need
- Hearts at Home
- Private Home Care
- Redeemed In Home Care
- Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance
- RN Services Private Duty Care
- Senior Helpers
- Synergy
- Visiting Angels
What is Home Infusion
Home Infusion therapy is the administration of medication intravenously or subcutaneously.
Medications that may be used are antibiotics, biologics, or specialty drugs for conditions like cancer. In addition to the medication, home infusion pharmacies provide equipment and supplies to administer the medications like pumps, IV poles, tubing, etc. Home infusion companies may send a nurse to help training and education for the patient and caregivers on safe administration. There are also times home infusion companies will work with home health companies to provide these nursing services.
Commercial insurance and government payers typically have coverage for home infusion.
What is DME?
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is a term used to describe any medical equipment used in the home repeatedly for a medical reason to help someone who is sick or injured. DME equipment is covered under Medicare Part B and other major insurance plans. For insurance to cover the equipment, you will need an order from a physician with documentation of why the equipment is needed. If the equipment is only needed temporarily, you may also have the option to rent some DME. Some examples of DME include by not limited to nebulizers, CPAP, catheters, oxygen equipment, patient lifts, beside commodes, hospital beds, and wheelchairs.
MEMBERS
- HMP DME Services
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP is the backbone of our organization.
We encourage all members to take the opportunity to get involved in whatever way is a good fit for you.
Take a few minutes to learn more and connect with the chairperson of the committee.
Membership
The Membership Committee is to track current members, promote new membership, and process incoming new members and answer any questions they may have.
Committee Chair Contact: Teresa Borger, SEND AN EMAIL
Education
The Education Committee is to provide education for home health, hospice and private duty aides to meet the 12 hours of annual education required by Medicare to work in home care. This education has been done by providing 6 hours of on-line education twice a year (spring and fall) for the aides. These education hours are provided for free to staff of agencies who are members of KCRHCA. This committee recently held their first annual aide lunch and learns to provide 1-2 hours of education on a topic relevant to aides and lunch. This was to provide education and a space for aides to communicate with other aides in the home care setting.
Committee Chair: Sue Gatrost, RN MSN-BC, SEND AN EMAIL
Private Duty
The Private Duty Committee is to gather as home care providers to look at ways to support one another through business challenges and stay current on government regulations or changes. Meetings are scheduled bimonthly.
Committee Chair Contact: Doug Peterson, SEND AN EMAIL
Committee Co-chair: Kami Sjoberg, SEND AN EMAIL
Home Health
The Home Health Committee is for discussion, education and collaboration for changes in home care such as billing, survey or accreditations, documentation, requirements for CMS, staffing challenges. This committee meeting is held every other month on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 2-3pm typically via zoom.
Committee Chair Contact: Sally Lundy, SEND AN EMAIL
Community Relations
The Community Relations Committee plans events for our memberships outside the general meeting and committee meetings, helps membership to promote KCRHCA to potential members, and assists in updating social media and our website. Meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis for updates and events.
Committee Chair Contact: Katelin Gharst, SEND AN EMAIL
Hospice
The Hospice committee is for hospice members to discuss CMS regulations, recent survey, and community needs. The committee provides quarterly educational events for service providers and community on topics that impact senior care. This committee meets monthly in person the second Tuesday of the month at 9am, location varies.
Committee Chair Contact: Shawn Mueller, SEND AN EMAIL
Volunteer
The Volunteer committee is a sub-committee of the Hospice Committee where the volunteer coordinators for the agency come together to discuss volunteer programs, volunteer recruitment, CMS regulations for volunteer hours and other needs, education, idea sharing, and any struggles in the industry. They plan a yearly volunteer symposium to recognize the volunteers and all the difference they make for hospice patients. This committee meets monthly in person with zoom option the first Tuesday at 3pm.
Committee Chair Contact: Kristy Lecoque, SEND AN EMAIL
Committee Co-Chair Contact: Nicole Parkins, SEND AN EMAIL
Emergency Preparedness
This committee is open to all KCRHCA members and is responsible for providing networking, information sharing, and educational opportunities regarding emergency preparedness. The intent of this committee is to collaborate, communicate, and respond and support one another before, during and after a disaster or other public health emergency incident. This committee typically meets bimonthly via zoom on the third Tuesday of the month from 1:30-2:30pm.
Committee Chair Contact: Kelli R. Traylor, LMSW, SEND AN EMAIL
Legislative
The Legislative Committee’s purpose is to bring attention of current health care bills to the association members at the legislative level that impacts the care and reimbursement for the services we provide. The committee urges members to contact your representatives in your area to voice your concerns or support for different health care matters. The committee also helps to coordinate event for advocacy days at the State Capitol buildings.
Committee Chair Contact: Rick Lane, SEND AN EMAIL