Effective April 21, 2014, Sullivan County Public Health can no longer directly enroll patients into its Long Term Home Health Care Program, but will continue to provide approved home care services in the home upon referral from Managed Long Term Care plans. If you have questions please call (845) 292-5910 x 2179.
SULLIVAN NYCONNECTS Choices for Long Term Care
Provides consumers and their caregivers with comprehensive and unbiased information about long term care options in Sullivan County. This program serves the elderly, children with physical disabilities, and adults with physical disabilities -- regardless of payment source -- through a Single Point of Entry for information and assistance.
Call (845) 794-3000, ext. 0257
WHAT IS LONG TERM HOME HEALTH CARE?
Long Term Home Health Care services can be provided at home to disabled, infirm, or invalid persons who require home based health care for more than four months, and who might otherwise require placement in a skilled or residential health care facility if such services were unavailable.
HISTORY
The Long Term Home Health Care Program was first established by the New York State Legislature and was sponsored in Sullivan County by Sullivan County Public Health Home Health Agency and the Sullivan County Department of Family Services. It was designed to provide the Long Term Home Health Care Program to Medicaid-eligible persons or individuals with private pay source who otherwise would require placement in a nursing home or hospital. Recently, Long Term Care Programs have been redesigned so that Managed Long Term Health Care (MLTC) insurance plans, which are certified by the New York State Department of Health, now assess each patient for eligibility and design their comprehensive plan of care. The MLTCs can utilize Sullivan County Public Health to provide the care, but the MLTCs provide case management. There are some exemptions and exclusions, but otherwise all Long Term patients must enroll in an MLTC by calling “New York Medicaid Choice” at 1-888-401-6582. More information is available at www.nymedicaidchoice.com.
CHOOSING LONG TERM HOME HEALTH CARE
The decision to care for an individual at home, rather than in a hospital or nursing home, is made by the professional health care team, the client and the client's family. If the family is willing and able to provide the necessary care, If the home environment is conducive to and effective in maintaining or improving the client's health, and if the complex services of an institution are not needed, home health care may be the preferred plan of treatment.
If you, a relative, or friend, are seriously ill or incapable for a long period of time, you may qualify for this program if certain criteria are met.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- Resident of Sullivan County
- A person of any age who needs assistance to remain at home.
- Eligible for nursing home level of care.
- Prefers to remain at home.
- Physician approves of home care.
- Medicaid eligible or willing and able to pay.
- Complete medical, nursing, social and environmental assessment confirms that the patient's needs can be safely met through this home care program.
- Services can be provided at home at 75% of nursing home cost.
LONG TERM HOME HEALTH CARE MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
- Skilled Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Audiology
- Home Health Aide
- Personal Care Aide
- Medical Social Worker
- Nutritional Counseling
- Home Delivered Meals
- Personal Emergency response System
- Medical Supplies/Equipment
- Case Management
HOW DOES ONE APPLY FOR AN EVALUATION?
Share this information with the interested person, their family, and the person's physician. Then, the patient must call “New York Medicaid Choice” at 1-888-401-6582.
If the person is currently hospitalized, or in a nursing home, speak with the agency's Social Worker or Discharge Planner, and tell them you are interested in applying to for Long Term Services, and they will help you.
