Figuring out home health care can be overwhelming.
We’re here to answer your questions and give you support.
IN-HOME CARE FAQs
General questions about in-home care:
What is home health care?
Home health care is when a person in need gets medical + non-medical services right in their own home.
Preferred is a home care agency that helps you — or your family member — get loving care in the comfort of your home.
If you need help managing at home, you may be eligible for:
- a highly trained aide who’ll help you with day-to-day activities
- a registered nurse who’ll help you with injections, monitoring, wound care, medication management and more
- a skilled therapist who’ll help you get back to yourself: a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, nutritionist and/or physical therapist.
If you prefer to get care from someone you know, you may be able to designate one of your family members or friends as your in-home caregiver under our CDPAP program.
How will my aide help me each day?
Your home health aide can help you with all kinds of things, including:
- Cooking
- Housekeeping
- Bathing
- Shopping
- Getting around.
Your aide can help you with things as simple as wound dressings and medication management or as complex as trach and colostomy bag care.
How do I know if home health care is right for me?
If you feel lonely, depressed, or unable to do many things on your own, you can likely benefit from in-home care. Living at home doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming — you can feel happy and safe. Call today and speak to one of our coordinators to see if we can help.
What if I only need home care for a short period of time?
We’re here to meet your needs. You can get care that’s:
- short-term
- long-term
- part-time
- full-time.
We provide anything from a few hours a week to round-the-clock care…or from just a few days to several years.
Questions about my in-home health aide:
How do I know I'll get an aide I can trust?
We are extremely selective in our hiring process. When you work with Preferred, you can expect a certified + licensed aide who:
- Speaks YOUR language
- Has completed extensive training
- Has passed multiple background checks
- Is monitored regularly on-the-job
Our aides master continually-updated curricula, plus new in-services that reflect the latest industry standards. And most have graduated from our very own school, accredited by the NYS Department of Health.
Does Preferred offer live-in home health aides?
Yes. Many of our clients are eligible for 24 hour care.
Do I need to give my live-in aide a private room for sleeping?
Yes
Can my live-in aide care for me 7 days per week?
No. Live-in aides must still get at least one day off per week. On that day, you’ll get a regular replacement aide.
My English is not great. Do you have aides who speak my language?
We believe good communication is the bedrock of effective care. That’s why we hire coordinators and home health aides who speak YOUR language. You can expect to enjoy effortless communication (and zero frustration!) from your very first call.
What languages do you speak?
- English
- Español
- Kreyòl
- עִברִית
- Русский
- אִידִישׁ
- 广东话
- 普通话
I’m female. Can I get a male aide?
No. Male aides can only provide care for male patients. Female aides can provide care for both male and female patients.
What if I want my aide to increase her hours?
If you feel you need more hours of care, we’ll help you submit a request to your insurance plan.
Can my aide do heavy housekeeping and lifting?
No. Your aide can do light housekeeping, including tasks like cooking, washing dishes, sweeping, and cleaning the kitchen.
Can my aide use my debit or credit card when shopping for groceries?
No. Your aide can shop for you using cash.
Do I have to provide food or lunch from my aide?
No. You can offer if you wish, but your aide may not ask you for food or lunch.
Can my aide drive or ride in my car?
No. Aides may not ride in the patient’s private vehicle. You can get around together by walking, cabbing, or using public transportation.
Do I have to cover my aide’s fare when traveling?
Yes. If your aide is accompanying you on an errand or medical appointment, you are obligated to pay their fare.
Can my aide pick me up if I fall?
No. In the event that you fall, your aide is required to follow our safety protocols and call 911 if needed. This is to prevent further injury.
Questions about paying for in-home care
I don’t have a lot of money. How will I pay for in-home care?
You don’t have to shoulder this burden: if you’re eligible, Medicaid will pay for your care. We’ll help you navigate the complex steps of getting approval.
If you don’t already have Medicaid but may be eligible, we’ll work to help you get approved. Our specially trained coordinators take care of all the details so you don’t have to worry or stress. Call us now to see how we can help.
What kind of insurance do I need to get in-home care services?
We accept almost all long-term care insurances + HMOs (plans that work through Medicaid). If you don’t have Medicaid yet, we offer full-service Medicaid planning to help you get services easily. We’ll work with attorneys, discharge planners, and social workers to get you through the paperwork nightmare quickly and smoothly.
I’m not eligible for Medicaid. Can I pay privately for home care?
Yes. Our Preferred Gold program offers an alternative solution for families who need to pay out-of-pocket. With no third party payments, you can work out a care and payment plan based on your needs. Preferred Gold offers enhanced flexibility, and our private pay aides are some of the best in the state.
How many hours can my aide work? Does insurance cover full-time care?
Your aide may work as little as 5 hours per week or as many as 24 hours per day — it depends on your level of need. Your RN, doctor, and coordinator will come up with the highest-level plan within the scope of your eligibility.
Questions about CDPAP by Preferred
I prefer getting care from someone who KNOWS me. Can I choose a family member or friend as my aide?
Yes! CDPAP (the Consumer-Directed Personal Assistant Program) is a New York State Medicaid program that allows you to select your caregiver: a daughter, son, relative or friend. This means you can choose someone you know and trust to care for you in your home. (And they can finally afford to care for you, too.) Call us now to see if you’re eligible for this program.
How much do you pay CDPAP caregivers?
We offer competitive rates. Payment varies by location, so give us a call to find out exact
numbers. Your caregiver will get weekly payments (by direct deposit), plus lots of great benefits: sick days, overtime, family leave pay, and disability. In many New York locations, caregivers are eligible for a free health benefits package.
Questions about Registered Nurses
How do I know if I need a registered nurse (RN)?
Registered nurses provide more complex medical care. A nurse can help monitor your treatment plan and make sure you stay on track. They’ll take care of things like:
- Clinical assessments
- Injections
- Medication management
- Catheter dressing
- Wound care
- Patient/family education
What else can a registered nurse do for me?
A registered nurse can take care of things like:
-
- Hospital aftercare
- Post-operative care
- Pharmacy coordination for medications
- Skin care
- Trach/vent care
- Routine monitoring of vitals
- Pain management
- Infusion/IV therapies
- Lab draws
- Tube feeding
- Central line and port maintenance
- Specialized care plans for conditions like diabetes, dementia, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and others
- Teaching the family or patient…
- about new, unfamiliar diagnoses
- how to use prescribed equipment
- how to manage chronic diseases at home
What if I need immediate guidance from a nurse?
Just give us a call! Our registered nurses are on call 24 hours a day to answer questions, review reports, and provide clear direction to your aide.
Will I always get the same nurse to care for me?
A nurse is assigned to every one of our cases, so you’ll have a dedicated nurse who will visit your home at regular intervals. You — or your family member or home health aide — can always call them with questions.
If I am not feeling well, can I have a nurse come visit me?
Absolutely. Our nurses are available to check up on you at home. They can even coordinate with your doctor and pharmacy for any concerns, and help you avoid long trips to a hospital or medical office for routine matters.
I think I could benefit from all these services. How can I arrange to get them?
That’s why we’re here! Call us now and we’ll help you arrange services quickly and easily. Our coordinators are trained in navigating the complex medical world and are committed to making it happen for you, quickly.
Questions about the Enrollment Process
Which counties do you service? Is my area covered?
Preferred Home Care services 14 New York counties:
- Richmond County
- Kings County
- Queens County
- Nassau County
- Suffolk County
- New York County
- Bronx County
- Westchester County
- Rockland County
- Orange County
- Putnam County
- Dutchess County
- Ulster County
- Sullivan County
Do you have an office location near me?
We have 10 locations across the New York Metropolitan Area, so you can count on a branch near you.
View our service area map here or call 1-855-PHCOFNY (1-855-742-6369) to confirm that we have home health aides in your area.
Will I have to travel to sign up?
Nope! Our coordinators will take all your information and start the process as soon as you call. One of our registered nurses will visit you at home to do a complete assessment and come up with a plan of care. You’ll be updated every step of the way so you know exactly what to expect.
How long will it take to enroll & get services?
Skilled services (like nursing care and therapies) usually start within 7 days. Long-term services generally take 30-60 days to start, depending on your insurance. For an estimated timeline based on your situation, call us now at 1-855-PHCOFNY (1-855-742-6369).
Where do I start?
Fill out a contact form here and we’ll reach out to you within 24 business hours. To speak to a person immediately, call us now at 1-855-PHCOFNY(1-855-742-6369) and we’ll work with you to arrange for the best possible care.
What can I expect next?
- As soon as you contact us, we’ll run your insurance through our system and recommend the best route for your needs.
- You’ll be assigned a personal coordinator who will jumpstart the process of arranging your services. They’ll keep you updated throughout the process, so you know exactly what to expect — and when to expect it.
Get in-home care now
Call us now at 855-742-6369, or fill out this form and a member of our team will contact you within 24 business hours.
