Medicaid Coverage After the COVID-19 Emergency: What You Need to Know

covid medicaid update

As the COVID-19 public health emergency comes to an end, it is essential to understand the implications for Medicaid recipients. Previously, the emergency designation provided a safety net, allowing individuals on Medicaid to maintain coverage despite changes in their circumstances. However, with the conclusion of the emergency, it becomes crucial for Medicaid beneficiaries to take proactive steps to ensure the continuity of their medical insurance coverage.

Ensuring Continuity of Medicaid Coverage

According to hhs.gov, certain Medicare and Medicaid waivers and flexibilities that were put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency will no longer be necessary and will expire. These waivers and flexibilities were implemented to expand access to care, provide flexibility to healthcare providers, and increase the capacity of the healthcare system.

Action Steps To Maintain Your Medicaid Coverage

1. Update your information: Make sure to update your information in COMPASS or contact 1-877-395-8930 or 1-215-560-7226 for assistance.

2. Renewal options:
– Look for renewal forms in the mail and complete them.
– Complete your renewal through COMPASS.
– Renew by phone by calling 1-866-550-4355.

3. Explore alternatives if no longer eligible: If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, Pennsylvania offers free and low-cost health insurance options. Visit Pennie or CHIP if you have children under the age of 19.

Available Assistance

If you need assistance during this process, the following resources are available:

pa.gov and COMPASS
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Contact them at 1-877-395-8930 or 1-215-560-7226 for further assistance.
Pennsylvania Health Action Network: Reach out to the helpline at 877-570-3642 or email helpline@pahealthaccess.org for additional support.
– 311 in Philadelphia

Exploring Health Insurance Alternatives

While some individuals may remain eligible for Medicaid, others may no longer meet the requirements. In such cases, it is important to explore alternative options for medical insurance coverage. Pennsylvania provides free and low-cost health insurance alternatives through the Pennie marketplace. For coverage options for children under 19, consider exploring CHIP.

AmeriBest Home Care Is Here to Help

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency will impact many Medicaid recipients. Taking the necessary steps to maintain medical insurance coverage is crucial. By promptly updating information, renewing coverage, and exploring alternative options if necessary, Medicaid beneficiaries can ensure continuity of care and find peace of mind regarding their health coverage. Remember, assistance is available from various resources to help navigate this process effectively. Take action today to secure your Medicaid coverage and stay protected in these changing times.

Contact AmeriBest at 1800-HOMECARE for further assistance or learn more HERE.

In Home Care Services in Allentown, PA: Supporting Senior’s Independence and Well-Being with Personalized Assistance

in home care services allentown pa

Many seniors feel that home care services in Allentown, PA are a means of losing their independence. But home care aides can make seniors more independent. Their efforts make it easier for seniors to live on their terms. This article will discuss several ways home care in Allentown, PA can make seniors more independent and increase their well-being.

How In-Home Care Services Allentown, PA Can Increase Senior Independence

Here are some tasks a home health care aide performs that help seniors maintain independence.

Rearranges Household Items

A home health care aid can rearrange a senior’s home so the items they need regularly are more accessible. Practical organization methods make it easier for seniors to perform daily tasks alone. They can easily reach for medications, personal care items, clothing, and other necessary items.

Running Errands

Many seniors have trouble leaving their homes due to limitations with walking and driving. A home care aide can accompany them on errands so they get to spend time out of the home. They can take them on shopping trips so they can shop for the items they want. Or they can take them to events so they can socialize with others.

Inspires Creativity

Home care in Allentown, PA encourages seniors to partake in hobbies and activities that boost creativity. The senior is free to choose activities that appeal to them and pursue them as they wish. This enhances independent thinking that can open all sorts of doors.

Improves Health

A home health care aide can improve their client’s health by encouraging them to exercise and get proper nutrition. They can assist them with medical treatments. When seniors start feeling better, they will experience improved mobility and general wellness. They will be more likely to participate in activities that add meaning to their lives.

Connect Them to the Outside World

Caregivers can help their clients forge a connection to the outside world. They can take them out for events and activities. They can also teach them how to interact on social media. Once seniors form social groups, they can create a schedule, chat with others via phone or video, and so much more.

Stay in Your Home Longer

Many seniors associate moving into an adult home with a loss of independence. Once seniors live in an adult home, they can’t plan their schedules, decide what to eat, etc. In home care services Allentown, PA helps a person stay in their home longer so they retain independence over their daily schedules.

Your loved one may resist getting home care Allentown, PA, but when you tell them how it will increase their independence, they will be more likely to come around.

AmeriBest In-Home Care Services Allentown PA

When you feel it’s time, choose AmeriBest first. We provide top-notch care to the valued members of our community. Our skilled and compassionate workers will treat your loved one with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Contact us to find out what we can do to help your senior relative live independently.

Home Caregivers in Allentown, PA: Personalized and Compassionate Support for Seniors

Home Care in Allentown, PA: The Benefits of Personalized and Compassionate Support for Seniors

As we age, our bodies and minds change. While much of this change is a beautiful part of life, it can also come with challenges to our ability to carry out daily activities. This is especially true for seniors who live with chronic illness or disability. Fortunately, personalized care by AmeriBest Home Caregivers Allentown, PA, offers seniors the assistance they need to live independent lives.

What Is Personalized Care?

Personalized home care is tailored care provided to seniors in their own homes. Caregivers provide the specific services that seniors need so that they can live independently and care for themselves. Because it is personalized, home care can look different for different seniors.

Some of the services that providers like AmeriBest Home Care offer Allentown seniors include:

Companionship Caregiver Services

These services help seniors who live alone avoid isolation and loneliness. Caregivers engage seniors in physical and mental activities. They also provide company and conversation during meals and build a bond with seniors.

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are activities like dressing, bathing, grooming, and feeding that can become more challenging as we age. For example, a senior with a disability may need assistance with toileting and bathing but be able to groom themselves and prepare their own meals. Tailored care ensures that a caregiver assists with only the activities that a senior needs, leaving them with the freedom and energy to do other activities on their own.

Medication Management

If your loved one has a chronic health condition, they have multiple medications they need to keep up with. A home health aide can help seniors manage their daily prescription medications as well as any other vitamins or supplements their doctor recommends. They can also help seniors keep up with refill reminders.

Home Safety

A personalized home care provider also helps assess a senior’s home for potential risks and hazards. They can make necessary adjustments, such as providing mobility aids and installing handrails.

Nutritional Support

A balanced diet is important to an aging body. Unfortunately, limited energy or mobility can make a balanced diet unsustainable for seniors. A home caregiver can assist with meal planning and preparation to ensure that seniors get the nutrition they need.

Transportation Assistance

Personalized home care providers help seniors get around by providing transportation assistance. They accompany seniors to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and other necessary errands.

senior services pa

Personalizing Home Care

Because your loved one’s needs are unique, what services they need will differ from other seniors. That’s why it’s important to discuss home care options with agencies, to ensure that they can tailor their care to your senior’s needs. Tailored care means that your loved one can live with independence and dignity as they age without worrying about safety, health, or daily needs.

Looking for Home Caregivers in Allentown, PA?

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today. One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services that are right for you.

Home Health Aide Allentown, PA: Maintain Health and Independence

Living independently is closely linked to older adults’ overall health and well-being. However, remaining independent as we age can be a challenge. Fortunately, agencies like AmeriBest Home Care employ home health aide Allentown, PA, that can help you or your aging loved one maintain independence.

Promote Safety with a Home Health Aide Allentown PA

If your aging loved one lives with limited mobility or a chronic illness or if they’ve recently been injured or are recovering from surgery, safety is a primary concern. Home health aides help to ensure that seniors can navigate their homes safely. This includes,

  • Securing rugs
  • Installing handrails in bathrooms
  • Assisting in the repair of uneven flooring
  • Providing walkers and other mobility aids

Home health caregivers can also help ensure that rooms have adequate lighting, set up night lights in halls and bathrooms, and routinely check batteries in smoke detectors. They can also assist seniors with many household chores so that homes remain neat and free of clutter.

Home Health Aides Encourage Connections for Seniors

Independent living doesn’t have to mean living in solitude. Home health aides provide valuable companionship to seniors who live alone. They can also provide transportation assistance to help seniors visit family and engage with their communities. They also encourage the use of technology so that seniors can stay connected with family who live out of state.

Seeing to a Senior’s Health Needs

In addition to companionship and home care needs, home health caregivers can help seniors with their health care needs. This often comes in the form of,

  • Personal care to help seniors maintain good hygiene
  • Meal planning and preparation to ensure a balanced diet
  • Medication reminders
  • Transportation for doctor visits
  • Keeping records of the senior’s activities and daily health

Feeling powerless in the face of aging is a fear many of us have. Home health care helps seniors live independently. By assisting with important daily activities, they ensure that seniors’ needs are met. They can also provide a voice for seniors, encouraging them to speak up to family and medical professionals about their needs. Home health aides can also be an advocate for seniors’ needs, helping to ensure they maintain their independence.

Are You Looking for a Home Health Aide Allentown PA?

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today. One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services that are right for you.

Looking for a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA? Consider AmeriBest!

As we age, we often require more assistance and care, especially if we have health conditions that limit our mobility and ability to perform daily tasks. While nursing homes and assisted living facilities may seem like a great option, many seniors prefer to remain in their own homes, surrounded by their familiar environment and loved ones. This is where home care services come in. If you’re looking for a home health caregiver in Allentown, PA – we’ll be happy to help!

Who Is AmeriBest Home Care?

AmeriBest Home Care is a licensed home care agency that has been providing compassionate and reliable home care services to seniors and people with disabilities in Pennsylvania for over a decade. Our mission is simple but important to us and the families we serve: to improve the quality of life for our clients and their families by providing personalized care that meets their individual needs and preferences.

Our ability to meet this mission lies in our team of caregivers. We carefully screen and select our caregivers to ensure that they have the right skills, experience, and personality to provide exceptional care. All caregivers undergo extensive background checks, reference checks, and training before they are assigned to a client, even if it’s their loved one or a family member. This ensures that clients receive care from knowledgeable and trustworthy caregivers who are dedicated to their well-being.

Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

Quality Services from a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

AmeriBest Home Care offers a wide range of home care services in Allentown PA, including,

  • Personal care services include assistance with
    • Bathing
    • Grooming
    • Toileting
    • Dressing
    • Other activities of daily living
  • Companion care services including
    • Companionship
    • Transportation
    • Meal preparation
    • Light housekeeping
    • Medication reminders
  • Respite care services providing temporary relief to family caregivers

In addition to our high-quality care services, AmeriBest Home Care also offers a variety of resources and support to our clients and their families. We provide regular updates and communication to keep clients and their families informed about their care and progress. We also offer info help, advice and local resources to help clients and their families better understand and manage their health conditions.

A Commitment to Care

AmeriBest Home Care is committed to providing accessible home care services to all who need them. We accept a variety of payment options, including Medicaid, private insurance, and private pay. We also offer free consultations to help clients and their families determine the best care plan for their needs and financial situation.

Are You Looking for Home Health Care in Allentown, PA?

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today. One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services that are right for you.

How to Choose from Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

How to Choose from Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

You want your loved one to have the best home health services as they age at home. With so many providers to choose from, how do you choose from the home health care agencies in Allentown, PA? Let’s look at what you should consider when choosing a provider for yourself or your loved one.

A Checklist of Questions

Consider creating a Checklist of Questions as you search for providers. Asking the right question helps you to determine what kind of care a service offers and if they’re the right match for your loved one. As you consider questions to add to the checklist, keep in mind,

  • Your loved one’s specific healthcare needs
  • Concerns that your loved one has expressed with regards to past caregivers
  • What your loved one’s goals are for living independently – everyone has their own idea of what independent living means, so make sure that a care provider understands your loved one’s needs and is prepared to meet them
  • Your loved one’s schedule for doctor visits, medications, therapy, and treatments, as well as any social and community activities they participate in

Remember to ask for references and follow up with those references. Due to patient privacy, you’ll likely only receive professional references such as doctors and therapists. Be sure you check review sites, especially those that focus on healthcare and home care, for testimonials, feedback, and complaints about the agencies that you consider.

Assessing Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

Remember to review the responses you receive from your checklist, references, and research with your loved one, family, and their physician. Determine what questions are most important to the needs of your loved one. If you’re unhappy with the answers that you received, then the agency may not be the right choice for you. Always trust your gut, even if you or your loved one can’t pinpoint a specific reason why you feel a certain way about an agency. Importantly, interview multiple agencies to match the services and care they offer with what your loved one needs.

Top Home Care Services in Allentown

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today. One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services that are right for you.

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month: The Facts, Stats, and You

best choice home health care

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most widespread neurological diseases affecting young people around the world. Unfortunately, most people know little about this disease and how it impacts the lives of those with it. At AmeriBest Home Care Allentown, we believe in educating our communities about their and their loved one’s health. Here’s the 101 on MS to help you make the best choice in home health care for your loved one.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the body and the brain. The cause of MS is unknown. The disease triggers the immune system to attack the central nervous system. The resulting damage causes interruption of signals to and from the brain resulting in numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness, and even paralysis. Because MS is unpredictable, each person’s experience with the disease is different, and losses may be temporary or long-lasting.

Risk Factors for MS

Researchers are still trying to determine the environmental factors that can lead to MS. For example, people with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to have MS, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency could be a factor. While we try to learn other environmental factors of the disease, we do know that,

  • Women are three times more likely than men to develop MS
  • People with biological relatives with MS are more likely to develop it
  • MS is not inherited, but the genetic predisposition may be
  • Children of MS patients are 10 – 20 times more likely to develop MS than the general population

Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Because symptoms and severity of MS vary from person to person, the disease is difficult to diagnose. If you suspect you or your loved one may have MS, it’s vital to seek a diagnosis from a medical professional who concentrates on MS diagnosis and treatment, as they will be more likely to recognize and identify symptoms.

There is no cure for MS, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Because the disease is unpredictable, finding the right treatment is often a matter of trial and error. The focus is always in limiting the severity and length of MS attacks. Depending on symptoms and their severity as well as the progression of the disease, treatments can include,

  • Corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation
  • Plasma exchange (removing the liquid part from your blood and mixing your blood cells with a protein solution and returning it to your body)
  • Interferon beta medications to interfere with the disease and increase nerve growth
  • Glatiramer acetate to help block the immune system’s ability to attack nerve cells
  • Monoclonal antibodies to target cells that attack the nervous system
  • Daily or twice-daily oral medications that reduce relapse rates like teriflunomide and dimethyl fumarate

In addition, your doctor may recommend dietary changes, physical therapy, and other treatments to help manage symptoms or reduce their severity.

How Home Health Care Helps MS Patients

For those living with MS, life can be as unpredictable as the disease itself. One day may be fine, with the next bringing a sudden flare. It’s important that MS patients have knowledgeable caregivers who can help them meet their daily needs when MS attacks occur. When you choose a home care provider, consider the tasks you or your loved one needs assistance with on a daily basis and when an MS attack occurs.

Are You Looking for the Best Choice in Home Health Care in Allentown, PA?

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today.

One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services right for you.

 

Becoming a Professional Home Health Aide in Allentown PA

home health aide allentown pa

Becoming a professional home health aide in Allentown, PA can be incredibly rewarding. You play a key role in maintaining and even improving the quality of a person’s life. Instead of being in a nursing home, an individual is aging in place with you at their side. The littlest thing, like remembering a favorite activity, provides the client with greater socialization, a treasured gift for deterring depression.

There are no formal requirements for education when you’re trying to become an aide. Different situations require different levels of training. In some cases, a high school diploma, safety training, and a heart filled with compassion are all a family needs in an aide. Other in-home caregivers may need a degree in social work, CPR and first aid accreditation, or other medical training to work with specific clients.

The call for direct support personnel is growing exponentially. If you take this career track, you can always find work with companies like AmeriBest. We truly value our staff and give them the tools they need to be successful in their assignments.

Becoming a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. If you want to become a caregiver, how should you proceed?

  1. Self Evaluation: First and foremost, you must hunker down and ask yourself if you can do this work with empathy and patience. It is NOT for everyone. Are you willing to work with difficult clients (or strained family dynamics)? Can you put down your job at the end of the day? If you answered no to either question, this probably isn’t the right career option for you. If your answer is yes, move forward.
  2. Check around your area to see if there are any apprenticeship programs. If not, volunteer to work at a nursing home. Get a feel for the kind of folks with whom you may work in the future.
  3. Review the PA requirements for being a home care aide. Every state is different, but if you plan to apply soon, you’ll want to complete the required exams or certifications, if possible.
  4. Get involved in a professional organization that updates you on things impacting your career.

Joining the AmeriBest Team

At AmeriBest, we always look for caring, dependable home health aides to join our staff in Allentown, PA. We prefer experience, but don’t let that stop you from applying. We pay you for the training time necessary to do your tasks.

AmeriBest has provided high-quality home and community-based services since 2008. Our history of maintaining clients’ sense of dignity and independence has made us one of the most trusted companies in PA.

We also have an amazing benefits package for your consideration. We know good employees are our secret ingredient and treat them accordingly. We offer paid time off, 7 paid holidays, medical-dental-vision plans, and life insurance, just for starters.

Start your career today. Email us at info@ameribest.org, or call any one of our three offices:

Philadelphia: 215-925-3313

Harrisburg 717-545-2920

Allentown 610-596-9070

Or 1-800-HOMECARE

Access Quality Home Care in Allentown PA

Access Quality Home Care in Allentown PA

The day has arrived. You are exhausted, and your loved one needs more help than you can provide. Thus, the search begins to access quality home care in Allentown, PA, which is what AmeriBest Home Care offers. Find out if you’re eligible for home care services and how you and your loved ones can benefit from them if you are!

What Are Home Care Services?

Simply put, home care services professionals offer extra hands and eyes, so your loved one has greater safety and support. Some of the basic services AmeriBest Home Care Allentown, PA, provides include:

  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Personal care
  • Dishes
  • Laundry
  • Cooking healthy meals
  • General house tidiness
  • Companionship
  • Respite care,
  • Med reminders
  • Transportation to Dr. appointments
  • And much more.

In addition, certain situations require specialized care. You can get physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a registered nurse. Under Medicare Part A, these services must be medically necessary for coverage. Your physician must certify your need for coverage. Your case will be reviewed periodically. Medicare reports that in 2019 approximately 5,300,000 people received these types of benefits.

Hiring a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

You are among many people seeking care for their loved ones. The popularity of home health care in PA grows daily. Seniors prefer “aging in place” rather than going into strange institutions with none of the comforts of home. One of the great benefits of having professional care is the peace of mind it gives you and the socialization it provides for the individual.

So, the question becomes, what do you look for in a company? You don’t want to just close your eyes and pick one out of the phone book. You need to know the people behind the scenes and a company’s culture in making your choice. Signs of a quality home caregiver, like our personnel at AmeriBest, include:

  • Active, positive references
  • The company gives all potential staff background checks
  • The company provides ongoing training about “best practices” in the field
  • You are treated with respect
  • You get honest answers to your questions
  • The agency creates personalized care plans in which you, your loved one, and physicians participate

Questions to Ask

Besides the qualifications discussed previously, there are several great questions to ask potential care coordinators.

  1. What happens if my aide is a no-show or calls off?
  2. Are your aides insured?
  3. Do you have any specialized services, and if so, what are they?
  4. How often do you update care plans?
  5. What if my loved one doesn’t like the aide provided?
  6. Do you periodically evaluate your staff?
  7. What sets you apart from other home care agencies?

You can also evaluate your home and ask about safety concerns. We can help you find resources to get any durable medical equipment you require, like grab bars, a cane, and a wheelchair.

Reach Out

The professionals at AmeriBest Home Care, Allentown, PA, are available to you to answer these questions now and others as they come up in your home. Contact us online HERE. Alternatively, our phone number is 717-545-2920, and our email is info@ameribest.org

Characteristics of a Good Home Health Care Aide in Philadelphia

A good home health care aide in Philadelphia can manage many responsibilities. They are compassionate, knowledgeable, and able to multitask. A home aide should also have a love of learning and development.

Compassionate

An in-home caregiver should be compassionate. Compassionate people are in tune with the needs of others and make an effort to help them. They listen to their patient’s stories, empathize with their struggles, and are sensitive to their challenges.

Knowledgeable

A good home health care aide should be knowledgeable about the patient’s condition and how to administer treatments. They should know when a patient should take their medications, how often those medications need to be taken, and what will happen if they are not taken on time or as prescribed. It also means the aide must understand how specific equipment works and operate it correctly.

A Multitasker

In addition to being a caring and compassionate individual, a good home health care aide in Philadelphia should be able to multitask. Multitasking is an essential skill because it enables them to be more efficient in their job, ultimately saving time and money for the patient’s family.

Handling Stress

The ability to handle stressful situations is another characteristic that makes a good home health care aide stand out from other candidates. A stressful situation may arise at any moment when caring for patients.

Love of Learning

It’s not enough to just be a good home health care aide. To stay competitive in the field, they must be willing to develop their skills and knowledge continually. Continuing education is a must.

If you’re interested in home health care in Philadelphia for an aging loved one, contact us at AmeriBest Home Care to learn more.