Medicare Home Health Agencies Weaknesses in Federal and State Oversight Mask Potential Quality Issues

Home health agencies (HHA) play an important role in the U.S. health care system -- allowing individuals who are unable to leave home without great difficulty to receive certain medical or therapeutic care in their own homes. In 2000, Medicare covered home health services for 2.5 million people at a cost of $8.7 bill. This report assesses quality-related aspects of HHAs. Covers these questions: (1) what is known about the quality of care provided by HHAs, (2) is the current survey process adequate to identify quality-of-care problems at both parent & branch offices, (3) are state investigations of complaints made against HHAs effective in protecting patients, & (4) is Fed. oversight of state survey activities & enforcement efforts adequate? Tables.Allen, Kathryn G. is the author of 'Medicare Home Health Agencies Weaknesses in Federal and State Oversight Mask Potential Quality Issues' with ISBN 9780756732073 and ISBN 0756732077.