Q: What is a Nurse Registry? A Registry is a state licensed company that refers Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides and Homemaker/Companions.
Q: Why choose a Registry? Nurse Registry’s are the smartest choice for finding a caregiver. We are licensed and regulated by the governing state department in Florida (AHCA).
There are three types of home care providers in the State of Florida. Make sure the company you’re choosing holds the correct license!
Every provider can be found on AHCA’s website at http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/facilitylocator/FacilitySearch.aspx. Simply type in both the company name you’re interested in (BETTER HEALTHCARE LLC) and the type of company you think they are (Companion Agency, Nursing Registry, or Home Health Agency). If they do not show up they may not hold the license you thought they had.
1- Companion Agency: is a company that provides ONLY COMPANIONS to clients who need someone with them. They are not legally allowed to perform any of the Activities of Daily Living. Imagine your loved one falls and the caregiver is not even allowed to help them up.
2- Nursing Registry: are permitted to provide RN, LPN, and CNA/HHA in clients’ homes for Activities of Daily Living (Private Care). The big secret is Nursing Registry’s do the exact same service as Certified Home Health Agencies with the ability to provide the service at a more reasonable cost! Why? Because we are mandated to hire only independent contractors and we do not need to follow the Medicare guidelines for providing care.
3- Home Health Agency: the majority of Home Health Agencies are certified to provide home care to clients that are covered by Medicare (MEDICARE DOES NOT PAY FOR PRIVATE CARE). They hire nurses directly (as employees) and must follow all the Medicare guidelines for providing care. In short, their expenses to hire and provide care are much higher. Same service more expensive!
This expense is exactly why AHCA created the Nurse Registry model. For more information on this please visit AHCA’s website at http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/reports-guides/home-health.aspx#ChoosingaHomeHealthCareProvider
Q: What are the services a caregiver provides? All caregivers are trained, certified and licensed to provide duties in their appropriate discipline. The certified nursing assistants and home health aides will assist with the activities of daily living, bathing, dressing, ambulation, transferring and even light housekeeping. The companion/homemaker will assist with homemaking services, meal preparation and planning, laundry, shopping, accompany/escort to activities and/or appointments. The registered nurses and licensed practical nurses provide skilled nursing services
Q: How far in advance do I need to call to receive service? Better Healthcare LLC has a large pool of experienced caregivers, so in many situations we can accommodate last minute and same-day requests. Otherwise, three days minimum notice would be best.
Q: Are the caregivers screened? As per state regulation all caregivers are required to be screened by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for disqualifying criminal records and reports kept on file. Upon registration, every caregiver is screened before they can be referred or be in contact with a client. Also, each caregiver’s references are checked.
Q: Do you accept Long-Term Care insurance policies? Yes! Better Healthcare LLC will accepts assignment and verify benefits on our clients’ behalf. However, if your insurance carrier does not honor the assignment of benefits, you are ultimately responsible for the payment of services provided by the contractor referred to you. We cannot accept Medicare or Medicaid, as we are not licensed to provide such services.
Q: Are the caregivers licensed and certified? All caregivers referred through a nurse registry must be licensed and/or certified.
Q: What can a Home Health Aide do for me? Home Health Aides provide assistance with feeding, meal preparation, dressing, hygiene, personal grooming, errands, medication reminders, household organization and accompaniment on doctor appointments and trips.
Q: Do your Home Health Aides provide housekeeping? Yes. Better Healthcare LLC prides itself on providing quality care. Our Aides are expected to go beyond the basics and help with light housekeeping, laundry and cooking according to dietary needs. If more extensive cleaning is needed, our agency can provide additional housekeeping services.
Q: How do you select your caregivers? Every home health aide is selected for a case based on experience, qualifications, dependability, availability, and personality. We provide thorough criminal background and reference checks and require a full physical. Each aide is also required to pass a personal interview with our company. We look closely for honesty, friendliness, compassion, dependability and professionalism.
Q: How long can a Home Health Aide stay with me? It is entirely flexible. Our Care Coordinator will plan the Home Health Aide’s schedule according to your needs. Our Aides are trained to provide care that ranges from a few hours a day to 24-hour, around-the-clock or live-in care.
Q: Do you have a minimum hourly requirement for a caregiver? Yes, we have a minimum of four hours a day.
Q: What is the cost of your service? We maintain reasonable fees without compromising quality care. Please call 800-394-0005 to inquire about pricing. We accept most major credit cards and personal checks.
Q: What happens if I have a question or problem? Better Healthcare LLC is available 24 hours/7 days a week; in case of an emergency you will always be able to reach a Care Coordinator directly.
Q: What if I am not happy with the caregiver provided? We will be happy to provide you with another caregiver, as many times as needed until you are fully satisfied.
Q: How much notice is required for service cancellation? We only require 24-hour notice to cancel services.