Q:  What is palliative care?

Renee Singer, Middletown

A: Palliative care is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people facing serious, complex illness.

Q:  Is it hard to get Medicare reimbursement for home health care services?

Joan Ferguson, Pawtucket

A:  No, Medicare is the single largest payer of home health care services but certain conditions must be met:

·         Your doctor must decide that you need medical care at home, and make a plan for your care at home.

·         You must need intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, or to continue occupational therapy. 

·         The home health agency caring for you must be approved by the Medicare program (Medicare-certified).

·         You must be homebound, or normally unable to leave home without help.

Q:  What exactly is a home health aide?

Bob Martino, Woonsocket

A:  A home health aide doesn’t have a nursing license, but supports the nurse by providing services such as help with bathing, using the bathroom, dressing, or other personal care. Medicare doesn’t cover home health aide services unless you are also getting skilled care such as nursing care or other therapy for an illness or injury.