IVNA

IVNA Home Health Care

What You Should Look For In A Home Care Agency

Q: How long has the company provided care in the community?
A: IVNA has provided care in the community since 1900. IVNA is the oldest home care agency in Central Virginia

Q: Does it participate with your insurance company or managed care organization?
A: IVNA accepts most private insurances, Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay clients. Because IVNA is a United Way Services partner, it offers a sliding scale for low-.income families.

Q: Is the provider certified by Medicare?
A: IVNA is Medicare-certified. A Medicare-certified home care agency has met federal requirements for patient care and financial management. It can bill Medicare. To learn more about a Medicare-certified agency, call the Virginia Department of Health's hotline at (800) 955-1819 for assistance in obtaining its Medicare Survey Report.

Q: Is the provider accredited?
A: IVNA is accredited by CHAP. Accreditation is a voluntary process conducted by non-profit professional organizations. It means the agency has volunteered to meet additional national industry standards. Accreditation may be given by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Q: Will the agency give you a copy of your rights as a patient?
A: IVNA provides each client with a Patient's Bill of Rights upon admission. Industry standards and most certifying and accrediting bodies require companies to supply patients with a detailed "Patient's Bill of Rights", which outlines the rights and responsibilities of the providers, patients and caregivers, alike.

Q: How does the provider select and train its employees? Does it protect its workers and clients with written personnel policies and malpractice insurance? Does the agency conduct a criminal records check for each employee?
A: IVNA Home Health Care is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the recognition of its employees as its most valuable asset. In addition to proof of training, professional licensure, certification or registration is required of all nurses and therapists. All employees must undergo a criminal records check through the Virginia State Police. Employment begins with a formal orientation process. Employees are offered an array of in-service opportunities plus tuition reimbursement to enhance their shills and knowledge. Personnel and medical policies and procedures are in place to promote and establish safe conditions for clients and staff.

Q: Does the patient's plan of treatment state the specific tasks to be carried out by each professional and paraprofessional caregiver? Does the agency educate and involve family members in the planning and delivery of care? Is all care documented in a confidential patient record? Who manages the plan of treatment? How will your physician be involved?
A: At IVNA, all patient plans of treatment state the specific tasks to be carried out by the IVNA staff member. IVNA prides itself on working collectively with the patient's physician(s) and family members to provide the best quality care for that particular patient. All in-home care is immediately documented in a confidential record by the IVNA staff member making the home visit. The patient's physician provides oversight for the plan of treatment.

Q: What procedures are in place to handle emergencies? What is the provider's process for handling complaints?
A: Professional IVNA staff members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If an IVNA client is less than satisfied with the quality of care that he/she receives, we want to know. Call (804) 355-7100 and ask for the Quality Assurance Department. IVNA professionals are ready to answer your questions and address your concerns about home care.

Q: Does the agency provide written statements explaining all costs and payment plan options associated with care?
A: IVNA provides information regarding costs of care to the patient and/or patient's family upon admission. Intake staff take care of all pre-authorization processes for private insurance providers before admission.

IVNA...Opening Doors to Better Health