Frequently Asked Questions...

• Are Home Care Workers trained?

• Do they maintain a regular schedule?

• What if I need help with my medication?

• How much will it cost if I pay privately?

• How do I qualify for subsidized services?

• Does insurance cover home care?

• What happens if my medical needs increase?

• Can I hire an individual directly to care for my loved one?

Are Home Care Workers trained?
Yes, Serve Link provides an initial 8 hours of classroom training to our aides. If the new employee is not a Certified Nurses Aide licensed in the state of Missouri, they would receive an additional 12 hours of training within their first 30 days of employment. Workers providing Advanced Personal Care (APC) services receive another 8 hours of training specific to APC. Serve Link aides receive additional in-service training for 12 hours each year.

Do they maintain a regular schedule?
Yes. When services are set up through Serve Link, a regular schedule is established (usually from one time per week to 5-7 days per week). Home care aides are expected to follow that schedule, but may change times if requested by the client. Serve Link’s scheduler helps coordinate all service requests.

What if I need help with my medication?
If you are Medicaid eligible or private pay, Serve Link’s Authorized R.N. Visit program can assist with medication set-ups. This can be an important way to monitor multiple prescriptions safely. Home care aides should never be involved with medication set-up or administration; these tasks should always be handled by a nurse with a physician’s authorization.

How much will it cost if I pay privately?
Serve Link Home Care offers the following private pay rates (effective July 1, 2007) for services:

• Homemaker Chore (HC) $16.08 per hour, One hour minimum
  includes laundry, cleaning, shopping, etc.*

• Personal Care (PC) $16.08 per hour, One hour minimum
  meal preparation, bathing, grooming, etc.

• Respite Care (R2) $14.24 per hour, One hour minimum
  relief to the caregiver, minor personal care

• Advanced Personal Care (APC) $20.12 per hour, One hour minimum
  for persons with assistive devices, advanced needs

• Advanced Respite Care (R3) $17.24 per hour, One hour minimum
  for persons with assistive devices, advanced needs

• Case Set Up Fee $35.00 per hour
  applies to cases with RN visit to set up

• Authorized RN Visits (ARN) $39.97 per visit
  medication set-up, APC monthly supervisor visit, etc.

*Additional charge of $.40 per mile for trips beyond five total miles.

Lifeline Pricing

• Carepartner 9500 Model (Lifeline with Reminders) $39.00 per month*

• Carepartner Communicator 6600 or 6700 $35.00 per month*

• Set-Up/Installation Charges $50.00 one-time fee due at time of installation (Lifeline coupons accepted)

• Pick-Up Fee $30 (fee waived if unit is returned to Serve Link office in good condition).

• Multi-Subscriber (two buttons/one service) $10 additional per month

*Monthly fee for first month is as follows:
1. Installed on Day 1-10, full monthly fee
2. Installed on Day 11-31, fee ($35 or $39) minus $10 discount
3. Deactivated Day 1-10, fee ($35 or $39) minus $10 discount

Rates effective as of July, 2007. Rates subject to change without notice.

How do I qualify for subsidized services?
Most persons seeking home care at subsidized, co-pay or no cost (to the client) rates should contact their county Division of Senior Services office. Medicaid eligible clients may receive home care services at no cost if they are assessed and determined to be in need of home care. Other programs have different requirements; some have co-pays, some request contributions toward services. Under Medicaid personal care, individuals over 18 years of age may qualify, other programs require a 60 or 65 age minimum. Serve Link’s private pay services are available to all ages.

Does insurance cover home care?
Some long term care policies will pay for home care. We’ll work with your insurance company so that you know what is covered and what portion of the charges, if any, you will be responsible for.

What happens if my medical needs increase?
Serve Link Home Care is equipped to care for your home care needs. In some cases you may require increased services, high level professional nursing or therapy care, etc. We will evaluate your needs and provide the appropriate care or refer to agencies which can best meet your health care needs. Our goal is to prevent or delay institutionalization. We will explore all your available home care options in an honest, open way and we will work with you and your family to assure the best quality care.

Can I hire an individual directly to care for my loved one?
Yes, although you need to be prepared to answer "Yes" to the following questions:

• Are you willing to file for employer identification numbers and assume financial reporting and payment requirements for social security, withholding taxes, unemployment insurance contributions and the liability resks of the worker being injured on the job?

• Are you willing to advertise in the local paper and interview applicants?

• Are you able to closely supervise the individual and the care provided?

• Do you have a backup plan if a worker becomes ill or leaves your employment?

If you are willing to assume these obligations, the hiring of an individual may be the answer to your family needs.