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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Medicare pay for?
Medicare will pay 100% of visits by nurses, physical therapists or speech therapists when ordered by your doctor. These visits will be brief and temporary to address a new or changing condition. Other visits may be added to these skilled services, such as visits from a nurse aide to give a bath or visits from an occupational therapist or medical social worker as ordered by your doctor.
2. Will Medicare pay for all my home care?
No. Medicare will not pay for housekeeping or shifts of care.
3. Can I get Oxford services if I have a Medicare HMO?
It is possible for Oxford to provide services if approval is obtained from the HMO prior to beginning the care.
4. What does Medicaid pay for?
Medicaid can cover nursing visits 100% on a limited annual basis for those who qualify, and a doctor must order these visits. In addition, Medicaid can also pay for personal care and homemaker services when the State Division of Senior Services authorizes them through Oxford. These services can be provided on an ongoing basis as long as the individual continues to meet the state program guidelines. The State Medicaid Program also covers many services for children, including shifts for extended hours of time. Under a program called Consumer Directed Services, Medicaid covers self-directed care for disabled individuals, and Oxford provides administrative services to support the consumer as the employer.
5. Does Oxford accept insurance payments?
Yes. Oxford is a preferred provider for many insurance companies, and arrangements can be made with other companies to obtain approval for the care that is needed. Each policy provides different coverage, and Oxford’s staff can check your insurance in order to determine what coverage is available.
6. What will nurses, nurse aides or other employees do when they come to my house?
Oxford will arrange for the most qualified person to come to your home based on the needs of the person receiving care. Nurses, therapists and nurse aides providing visits through Medicare will do what your doctor orders. The Division of Senior Services Office determines the amount of personal care and housekeeping services that can be provided through their programs. Our private pay services are based on your needs as requested by you. We can offer various levels of care ranging from nurses and therapists to personal care aides, housekeepers and companions. Some types of care in the home include nursing care, medication supervision, telemonitoring, Lifeline medical alert, bathing and personal care, housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, shopping and transportation, companionship, IV therapy, home medical equipment, and home oxygen therapy.
7. How much experience or training do Oxford employees have?
Each aide must have at least 6 months prior experience in a hospital or nursing home facility, or 1-year verifiable experience in unpaid childcare or family care. Nurses must have a minimum of 1-year experience within the past 3 years before coming to Oxford. We then provide our own specific training based on the position. We have many employees who have been with Oxford for 5, 10, 15, or more years.
8. Are there Oxford employees available in my area; if not, where are they based?
Oxford provides services in 28 counties in southwest Missouri and southeastern Kansas. We employ approximately 1,400 people from all over the region. The home care staff coming to your home will most likely be from within your community or a surrounding area.
9. Can I get 24-hour care at home?
Yes. This can be provided in various ways, most commonly with two to three shifts within a 24-hour period. Medicare will not pay for shifts. Medicaid may contribute minimally; however, most of our clients choose to pay for this type of care themselves in order to receive the hours they prefer. This is becoming a very popular option for people who wish to remain in the comfort of their own home instead of going to a facility to receive care.
10. Can the Oxford staff take me shopping, pick up my medicine, go out to eat with me, etc?
Yes. We can provide these services. Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for Oxford to take you, but Medicaid will allow us to do shopping and errands for you. If you are paying privately, we can transport you for errands, doctor appointments or other outings.
11. When will my Oxford nurse be coming?
If you are being released from a hospital or nursing home, the Oxford nurse will call you the following day to arrange a visit. Payment sources will not allow us to see you the same day you see the doctor unless we are ordered to do so for a specific purpose. The frequency of visits will be based on your needs as approved by your doctor.
12. How will having this service keep my family member out of a nursing home?
Our goal is to help people stay as independent as possible for as long as possible in the comfort of their home. We can do this by assessing all needs and then working to meet those needs—whether that need is to have someone with them while a family caregiver works, a need for medication supervision, an aide to help with personal care, or a housekeeper to help them maintain a clean and safe environment. The ways Oxford can help are many, and the services are tailored to meet the individual needs. Whether you require a few hours a week or round-the-clock care, we are here to help meet those needs. We also maintain contact with all physicians involved with the patient’s care. Most everyone is more comfortable in their own home with their own schedule. We are committed to helping achieve this comfort.
Call Oxford HealthCare today for a no-obligation in home evaluation to determine what we can do to help you.