Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Home Health Care and In-Home Care?
Home Health Care must be ordered by a physician. There are very specific guidelines for eligibility. It is paid for by Medicare or your health insurance and it is usually only approved for a short length of time following a hospital stay. In-Home Care is usually available for anyone who is interested. Most insurance companies will not pay for it, but long-term care policies will. Most people who receive this type of service pay for it privately. Both Home Health agencies and In-Home Care companies can provide you with skilled nursing and home health aides, but only In-Home Care companies can provide you with caregivers to help with escorts, light housekeeping, and other unskilled needs.
How much does In-Home Care cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of hours and level of care provided, but on average you can expect to pay $16.50 per hour. Please call for a more specific quote.
Do you have to sign a contract agreeing to services for a specific length of time?
No. The only thing you agree to is: (1) not to hire our caregivers privately, (2) to pay your bill. Be wary of an agency that asks you to pay for services before they are delivered, or to sign up for a certain length of time.
What is the benefit of hiring an agency that is locally owned verses a large corporation?
Locally-owned agencies such as “Always There” In-Home Care can offer you personal service without a lot of red tape. If there is ever a question or problem, the old saying…”The buck stops here” comes into play. We have this type of commitment.
What kind of employees do you hire?
Our employees come from a multitude of sources. We hire college students, retirees, nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health
aides and caregivers. Some of our employees come to us with years of experience, others we train ourselves.
What kind of patients can your caregivers take care of?
Most of our clients are senior citizens, but we assist individuals of all ages. We have taken care of people with a multitude of problems including: stroke, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, mental illnesses, and more. We also assist those with a temporary need, such as recovery from surgery, etc
Do you accept Long-Term Care Insurance?
The majority of Long Term Care policies pay for our services! We submit all of the billing/paperwork to your LTC company so that you can be reimbursed for the cost of services as quickly as possible. In fact, they receive the necessary paperwork before you do! You, or your loved one, may have paid many years for this benefit. This is very valuable coverage and will assist with providing needed respite care to you or a family member.
How do I pay for the services? Do I pay the individual employee or the agency?
You will pay the agency. Unlike some In-Home Care agencies, we are not a “sitter-finding” service. By paying the agency instead of the individual caregiver, you will not be responsible for paying employee taxes at the end of the year. “Always There” will bill you twice a month. You will receive a return addressed envelope in your bill for your convenience and we can also accept credit card payments.
Where are your services available?
At this time we are able to service the majority of Tuscaloosa County, but we are working on expanding so that we can assist those in other areas. If you live outside Tuscaloosa County, you can contact your local hospital (Social Services Department) or mental health agency for a list of resources available to you in your area.
Home Health Care must be ordered by a physician. There are very specific guidelines for eligibility. It is paid for by Medicare or your health insurance and it is usually only approved for a short length of time following a hospital stay. In-Home Care is usually available for anyone who is interested. Most insurance companies will not pay for it, but long-term care policies will. Most people who receive this type of service pay for it privately. Both Home Health agencies and In-Home Care companies can provide you with skilled nursing and home health aides, but only In-Home Care companies can provide you with caregivers to help with escorts, light housekeeping, and other unskilled needs.
How much does In-Home Care cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of hours and level of care provided, but on average you can expect to pay $16.50 per hour. Please call for a more specific quote.
Do you have to sign a contract agreeing to services for a specific length of time?
No. The only thing you agree to is: (1) not to hire our caregivers privately, (2) to pay your bill. Be wary of an agency that asks you to pay for services before they are delivered, or to sign up for a certain length of time.
What is the benefit of hiring an agency that is locally owned verses a large corporation?
Locally-owned agencies such as “Always There” In-Home Care can offer you personal service without a lot of red tape. If there is ever a question or problem, the old saying…”The buck stops here” comes into play. We have this type of commitment.
What kind of employees do you hire?
Our employees come from a multitude of sources. We hire college students, retirees, nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health
aides and caregivers. Some of our employees come to us with years of experience, others we train ourselves.
What kind of patients can your caregivers take care of?
Most of our clients are senior citizens, but we assist individuals of all ages. We have taken care of people with a multitude of problems including: stroke, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, mental illnesses, and more. We also assist those with a temporary need, such as recovery from surgery, etc
Do you accept Long-Term Care Insurance?
The majority of Long Term Care policies pay for our services! We submit all of the billing/paperwork to your LTC company so that you can be reimbursed for the cost of services as quickly as possible. In fact, they receive the necessary paperwork before you do! You, or your loved one, may have paid many years for this benefit. This is very valuable coverage and will assist with providing needed respite care to you or a family member.
How do I pay for the services? Do I pay the individual employee or the agency?
You will pay the agency. Unlike some In-Home Care agencies, we are not a “sitter-finding” service. By paying the agency instead of the individual caregiver, you will not be responsible for paying employee taxes at the end of the year. “Always There” will bill you twice a month. You will receive a return addressed envelope in your bill for your convenience and we can also accept credit card payments.
Where are your services available?
At this time we are able to service the majority of Tuscaloosa County, but we are working on expanding so that we can assist those in other areas. If you live outside Tuscaloosa County, you can contact your local hospital (Social Services Department) or mental health agency for a list of resources available to you in your area.
