Re-Instate Program
Dear Editor: I support SEARHC re-instating Medicare Certified Home Health Care.
If the intent of the SEARHC/X-tend partnership is to improve services to the people, then they should be X-tending services, not taking them away.
Medicare Certified Home Health Care had three dedicated nurses and services were covered 100% by Medicare. The current Outpatient Home Based care is managed by one nurse, Medicare covers 80% and requires a 20% co-pay.
SEARHC states “The new model will allow for expanded nursing services that were not previously possible.” How will that be “possible” if one nurse is doing the work of three? Sixteen percent of SEARHC patients are 65 and older and they are the majority of the demographic using Home Health services. It sounds like a lot to put on the plate of one nurse and a financial burden for those paying 20% out of pocket.
Sherie Mayo, Sitka
