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It's easy to make a patient care referral to SMMC Visiting Nurses. Our helpful Intake Staff are available
to assist you Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm, by calling (207) 985-1010. In addition,
someone is available to assist you with your needs twenty-four hours a day through our answering service
at (207) 985-1000 or 1-800-794-3546 (toll free in Maine).
Some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Home Healthcare:
Yes! Medicare will pay for home care at 100% if:
ordered by your physician
your condition needs skilled care (services which can only be safely delivered by a RN, Physical-Occupational-Speech Therapist or Medical Social Worker)
you are considered to be "homebound"
your needs do not require 24 hour continual nursing care/supervision
Most insurances provide home health coverage and follow these rules. Usually insurances will cover 80% of costs after your deductible is met. However, all policies differ and some limit the number and type of visits allowed.
Talk with your doctor and ask for a written order. If you are in the hospital, a Discharge Coordinator will also talk with you and your family about your particular needs.
An SMMC Visiting Nurse (or Therapist, if ordered) will contact you at home and will arrange a convenient visit usually within 24-48 hours after a referral is made.
The admission nurse will assess your needs and develop a plan of care (with your input) as directed by the doctor.
your Nurse will take your vital signs, listen to your lungs, review medications, change a dressing, etc.
the Therapist will help you walk, increase strength, do exercises, etc.
your Home Health Aide (in conjunction with skilled services) will assist with bathing, shampoo and other personal needs.
Sometimes patients are discharged to a skilled unit in a nursing home following a hospitalization, if their needs require 24 hour monitoring. Your physician can then order home health services, after this short stay, so you will have the help you need to safely transition to your home.
There are also some staffing agencies that can be contacted for additional help. Their services, however, will need to be paid for out-of-pocket by you. Our staff can assist you in finding this additional help.
In order to receive home health services, Medicare and other insurances mandate that the patient must be unable to leave their house without the assistance of another person or a device (such as a cane, walker, etc.) And, if they do leave, it is only for short periods and for therapeutic needs (medical appointment, church service, a short walk/drive to assist with recovery.)
No. Our staff is not allowed to transport patients due to liability issues. However, our home health aides can often assist with a short necessary errand as part of our service. They can also do a light meal prep, change your linens, and do your laundry as part of the personal care needed and ordered by your doctor.
If you are leaving the hospital, the Discharge Planning staff will help arrange for necessary equipment for you at home.
SMMC Visiting Nurses also has a FREE LOAN CLOSET. We have walkers, canes, commodes, wheelchairs etc. which can be picked up at either our Kennebunk or Biddeford offices.
That’s easy! Just call the office and let us know. Your concerns are a priority. We are not "perfect"....at least not yet! If there is an aspect of your care or personnel which need to be addressed- it will be!
985-1000 or 1-800-794-3546 or, you can also contact the Maine State Home Health Hot Line at 1-800-621-8222.
Certainly. Any and all information collected is strictly confidential.
Medicare is collecting data on all home health patients which is used to determine proper reimbursement for agencies and to assess the effectiveness of care delivered.
If you have any other questions, please e-mail us at information@smmcvisitingnurses.org.
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