Skilled Home Health Care
What is Skilled Home Health Care?
Skilled Home Health Care is for Veterans needing short-term care as they are moving from a hospital or nursing home back to their home. It can also be used to provide continuing care to people with ongoing needs.
The program is for Veterans who need skilled services such as: skilled nursing, case management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, or IV antibiotics.
Skilled Home Health Care can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services.
The care is delivered by a community based home health agency that has a contract with VA.
Skilled Home Health Care
Watch the video to listen to Skilled Home Health Care providers talk about this VA program and the quality of care offered. As they say, “It is a wonderful way to continue acute services within the home.”
Am I eligible for Skilled Home Health Care?
All enrolled Veterans are eligible for Skilled Home Health Care IF they are eligible for community care and meet the clinical criteria for the service. Services may vary by location. Contact your VA social worker/case manager to complete the Application for Extended Care Benefits (VA Form 10-10EC) to learn the amount of your copay.
What services can I get?
If you are eligible for Skilled Home Health, based on your needs you may receive:
- Nursing care (such as wound care or catheter care)
- Therapy visits for physical, occupational or speech therapy
- Patient education (about managing your medicines or illness)
- IV antibiotics or home infusion
- A home safety evaluation
- Social work support
How do I decide if it is right for me?
You can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or in the Community to help you figure out what home care services or long term care services may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach short-term and long-term care decisions.
Ask your social worker for these resources or download copies from the Making Decisions page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics.
If Skilled Home Health seems right for you, talk with your social worker about home health agencies in your area.
