This is a question that cannot be answered directly with any specificity. The reason for this, is because, the answer will be different for every person.

In-Home Health Care Orders

Generally speaking, the frequency in which your Nurse, Case Manager, or even your Home Health Aide will visit you in your home will be determined by your treating physician based on the medical necessity of your in-home needs for your accepted condition(s) under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Face-to-Face Exam

In the process of making a claim for in-home health care you are required to have a face-to-face exam. During this exam your treating physician will be assessing your medical needs in the home due to your covered conditions. Your treating physician will then create a plan of care which will outline what types of service you will need in the home, such as Nursing services, Case Management, and Home Health Aide services. The plan of care will also stipulate how often they will visit you and how long each visit will be.

Physician’s Orders

Your treating physician’s orders for your specific level of in-home health care needs will be something like the following:

A Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse for 12 hours a week in three visits a week at 4 hours a day.

A Home Health Aide for 6 hours a day.

Case Management for 6 hours a month.

Frequency of Visits

In the example above. A nurse would visit you 3 times a week for a 4-hour visit. Your Home Health Aide would be visiting you daily and be in your home performing duties for 6 hours a day and your case manager you would only see for 6 hours in a month based upon the plan of care from your treating physician.

Concerns over Frequency and Length of Visits

Any concerns that you have regarding how often and how long visits are from any level of care provider is something you should discuss with your treating physician during your face-to-face exam. That way your treating physician can amend your plan of care appropriately for your specific needs.

Re-certification

Under the EEOICPA you will be required to have a face-to-face exam with your treating physician every 6 months. This is so that your physician can amend your plan of care as appropriate for your specific needs.