Health department offers home-health services
But the agency offers a wide variety of services, including home health. In fact,
Also, while there are several for-profit agencies in the region, only GRDHH -- a nonprofit -- accepts any type of insurance. Its payment options include Medicare, Medicare HMO/Medicare PPO, Medicaid, private insurance,
"We were one of the first home-health agencies in this area," said
The agency opened for business in 1972, two years before the health department formed.
Even though the district's home-health program has existed more than 45 years, few people seem to know about it, Perez said. He feels that's because the nonprofit doesn't have the financial resources to advertise like for-profit businesses.
"
GRDHH offers an extensive list of home-health services. Among them: wound care; ostomy care; phlebotomy/lab services; post-operative care; physical assessment; case management; catheter care; diabetes management; and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
"Any nursing skill learned in school, we can do in the home," said
Home health has changed tremendously in the past few decades, West said. Many people assume a nurse sits with a patient eight hours a day, but that's not the case.
"We provide intermittent care. We are (teaching) clinicians. We teach you how to live safely and independently," she said.
The district serves patients in
Patients must meet federal guidelines for being homebound to qualify.
Another prized GRDHH service: The program provides briefs or diapers for patients of all ages who are eligible through the Kentucky Medicaid program. A primary care physician must prescribe incontinence supplies and provide a support diagnosis.
GRDHH takes care of the billing paperwork, and diapers are shipped to patients' homes for convenience.
GRDHH's program also offers very popular in-home therapy sessions called EPSDT, a Medicaid program that provides therapy to children under the age of 21.
Nearly 600 regional kids are enrolled. The program is so strong people move to this area so they can take advantage of the service, Perez said.
An evaluation can be conducted to determine if a child is not developing in one or more skill areas, such as cognition, communication, physical and fine motor skills, social and emotional behavior, or self-help skills.
To be eligible, children must have a physician and Kentucky Medicaid card. Automatic entry can be provided to children who have an established diagnosis, such as Down syndrome.
The program offers speech, physical and occupational therapy.
To talk with someone about GRDHH or EPSDT services, call 270-686-8123 or 800-928-7123.
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