Suggested Questions to Ask a Home Health Care Provider

Suggested Questions to Ask References

Print Version

Pricing Guidelines

MOHLTC information about home and community support services

OHCA helping folks stay home longer - article featured in the Niagara Anglican about home care. Click here to read.

Selecting a Home Health Care Provider can be made a lot easier by asking some questions about the organization. The link to the 'print version' leads to a printable page that lets you easily compare different providers.

• How many years has the provider been serving your community?
• Does the provider offer printed material describing its services and costs?
• Is the provider accredited? This means that their quality of care has been surveyed and approved by an outside accrediting organization (such as CCHSA, ISO).
  
• Is the provider a member of a provincial association that has standards of care - such as the Ontario Home Care Association?
• Can you get a service agreement which outlines the services to be provided and the cost, in writing?
• What are the costs for services?
• Will the provider help access insurance policies and/or government funded services on your behalf?
  
• How does the provider handle billing?
  
• Will the provider provide a list of references?
  

• What are services provided?
• Will these services meet the home care needs time?
• Are provider caregivers available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week?
  
• Does the provider have a nursing supervisor on call and available 24 hours per day?
• What are the qualifications of the staff?
• Does the provider ensure patient confidentiality? How?
• How are employees hired and trained?
  
• Does the provider require criminal record background checks and communicable disease screens for its employees?
  

• What is the procedure for resolving issues that may arise between the patient/family and home health care staff?
• Is someone available to answer questions or respond to a crisis?
  
• Who can you call with questions or complaints?
  
• What happens if a staff member fails to make a scheduled visit?
  
• Will the same person visit regularly?
  

Suggested Questions to Ask References

• Do you frequently refer patients to this provider?
  
• Are your patients/clients satisfied with the services?
  
• Do you have a contractual arrangement with this provider?
  If so, are they required to meet special standards of care?