Five Questions To Ask When Hiring In-Home Care

By Cindy Gray, RN2 min read
Chart comparing home health agencies, companion care providers, registries, and privately hired caregivers: which are AHCA licensed and which services and protections each provides

The demand for in-home care for seniors and other loved ones needing assistance is skyrocketing, and that has created an equally exponential jump in the number of businesses offering these services. With so many in-home care options, it’s essential to ask the right questions and understand the subtle – but critically important – differences between one provider and another. Here’s a handy chart and five must-ask questions to get a conversation started with a potential provider. (Spoiler: there’s no substitute for tenure and experience in this industry. Choosing an in-home care company that has been in business for more than five years will give you the best chance to get the right answers to the questions below.)

Is the Provider an “Agency” or a “Registry”?

This is a big one. A home-health agency employs its caregivers as traditional W-2 employees. That’s important because the agency is responsible for the screening, training, evaluation, tax withholding, and insurance coverage of each caregiver. Registries simply refer independent contractor caregivers to clients. Registries may not supervise, manage, or train the caregivers they refer, as those caregivers are independent contractors under Florida law.

Is the Provider Licensed?

In the State of Florida, companies offering in-home care services, at any level, must be licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Families hiring a private caregiver directly are subject to different rules. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for a provider’s license number, and if they hesitate to give it, that’s a sure sign of trouble. The license number should also be visible on any of the company’s advertising – physical, digital, TV, etc.

What Level of Care Do They Provide?

Take a look at the chart above. Licensed home-health agencies offer a broader range of services than companion-care providers. Providers that offer only companion-care services generally do not provide hands-on personal care. If a client requires more – such as hands-on assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring in/ out of bed, etc. – be sure the provider is licensed by AHCA to provide those services.

What Are the Payment Options?

In-home care can be expensive, but the best agencies offer multiple payment options. Care can be covered by long-term care insurance, but not all agencies take it. In addition, find out if the agency will accept an assignment of benefits (AOB) and if they will file all the required paperwork. A good agency should also explore any military veterans’ benefits that might be available, as well as other creative funding options.

Are the Company’s Leaders Medical Professionals?

This is an important question to ask and an easy one to answer. Are the leaders/ owners of a provider Registered Nurses, medical doctors, or other accredited professionals? Or, are they simply business people hoping to participate in a quickly growing industry?

Cindy Gray, RN, is the owner/administrator of ComForCare Home Care – Greater Orlando, license number 299994583.