What Amedisys does and who uses it

Amedisys is a for-profit home health agency — one of the largest in the United States — that sends nurses, therapists, and aides to patients' homes to provide medical care. The company operates in multiple states and works with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Amedisys does not decide whether you need home health; your doctor does. Once your doctor orders home health, you choose which agency provides it, and Amedisys is one option among many.

Amedisys employs registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and home health aides. The services they provide depend on what your doctor orders — wound care, medication management, physical rehabilitation, or help with daily activities. The company bills your insurance or Medicare directly in most cases, so you do not pay Amedisys upfront.

Home health agencies like Amedisys operate under strict federal rules because they receive Medicare and Medicaid money. This means your care is documented, your progress is tracked, and your insurance is billed according to a standard system. It also means Amedisys must meet staffing requirements, infection control standards, and patient safety rules set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Key Takeaways

  • Amedisys is a for-profit home health company that sends nurses and therapists to your home after your doctor orders home health care.
  • Your doctor decides whether you need home health and what type of care; you then choose which agency provides it.
  • Amedisys bills Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance directly, so you typically do not pay the agency out of pocket unless you have a copay or coinsurance.
  • Home health agencies are regulated by CMS and must meet federal standards for staffing, safety, and documentation.
  • You can switch to a different home health agency at any time during your care.

How to request Amedisys or another home health agency

Your doctor must write an order for home health before any agency can visit you. This order is called a physician's order or referral. The order specifies what type of care you need — wound care, physical therapy, nursing visits, or aide services — and how often you should receive it. Without this order, no home health agency can legally provide care to you.

Once your doctor writes the order, you can ask for Amedisys by name, or your doctor's office may contact Amedisys directly. You can also ask your doctor which agencies serve your area and choose from among them. If your insurance has a preferred provider list, Amedisys may or may not be on it; check your insurance card or call your insurance company to confirm Amedisys is in-network before requesting them.

Amedisys will contact you to schedule an initial assessment. During this visit, a nurse will review your medical history, current medications, and the specific care you need. The nurse will also check your home for safety — stairs, bathroom access, infection control — and confirm your insurance information. This assessment usually takes 60 to 90 minutes.

What Amedisys charges and how insurance works

Amedisys does not charge you a flat fee per visit. Instead, the company bills your insurance or Medicare based on the type and length of care provided. Medicare uses a system called Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS), which groups visits into 60-day episodes and pays Amedisys a set amount per episode, regardless of how many visits occur. Private insurance and Medicaid have different payment structures, and rates vary by state and plan.

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance. If you have Medicare, you typically pay a 20 percent coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount for each visit, though some visits may be covered at no cost to you. If you have private insurance, you may owe a copay per visit or a percentage of the cost. If you have Medicaid, your state program determines what you pay, and many states cover home health with no patient cost.

Before Amedisys begins care, the company should give you a written notice of privacy practices and an explanation of what your insurance will cover. Ask Amedisys directly what your expected out-of-pocket cost will be based on your insurance plan. If you cannot afford the cost, tell your Amedisys care coordinator — some agencies have financial information programs or can adjust the frequency of visits.

Types of care Amedisys provides

Amedisys provides several categories of home health services, depending on what your doctor orders. Skilled nursing includes wound care, catheter management, medication administration, and monitoring of chronic conditions like heart failure or diabetes. Physical therapyOccupational therapySpeech therapy

Home health aide servicessocial work services to help you navigate resources, discharge planning, and emotional support related to your condition.

The frequency and duration of care depend entirely on your doctor's order and your progress. Some patients receive visits three times a week for four weeks; others receive twice-weekly visits for three months. Your Amedisys nurse will reassess your progress regularly and work with your doctor to adjust the plan if needed. Home health is meant to be temporary — the goal is to help you recover or stabilize enough to manage at home independently or with family support.

How Amedisys compares to other home health agencies

Amedisys is one of the largest home health companies in the United States, but it is not the only option. Other national agencies include Encompass Health, LHC Group, Visiting Angels, and Visiting Nurse Associations (VNAs), which are nonprofit organizations in many communities. There are also smaller, locally-owned agencies in most areas. All of them operate under the same federal regulations and billing systems, so the legal framework is identical.

The main differences between agencies are availability in your area, staff experience, response time, and patient satisfaction ratings. You can check how an agency performs by looking at its Home Health Compare ratings on Medicare.gov, which shows data on patient outcomes, safety, and experience. Amedisys publishes these ratings publicly, as do all Medicare-certified agencies. You can also ask your doctor which agencies they work with most often and whether they have feedback on quality.

You are not locked into Amedisys. If you are unhappy with the care or the staff, you can request a different agency at any time. Tell your doctor or your current agency that you want to switch, and your new agency will request your medical records from Amedisys. The transition usually takes a few days. Your insurance will continue to cover home health as long as your doctor's order remains active.

What happens during a typical Amedisys visit

A typical nursing visit lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what care is needed. The nurse will check your vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen level — and ask how you are feeling since the last visit. If you have a wound, the nurse will clean and dress it. If you take multiple medications, the nurse may set up a pill organizer or review your medications with you. The nurse will also document everything in a computer system that your doctor and insurance can access.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy visits are usually 45 to 60 minutes and focus on exercises, mobility training, or practice with adaptive equipment. The therapist will give you exercises to do between visits and track your progress toward specific goals — for example, walking without a walker or bathing independently. Home health aides typically visit for 2 to 4 hours and focus on personal care and light housekeeping while a nurse or therapist is also involved in your plan.

You should expect Amedisys to communicate with your doctor regularly. The nurse will send progress notes to your doctor's office, and if something changes — a new symptom, a fall, or a medication concern — the nurse should contact your doctor the same day. You should also receive a copy of your care plan and know what to expect at each visit. If a visit is missed or cancelled, Amedisys should notify you in advance.

Your rights as an Amedisys patient

Federal law gives you specific rights as a home health patient. You have the right to know what care is planned for you and to participate in decisions about your care. You have the right to refuse a visit or a specific treatment, though your insurance may stop paying if you refuse necessary care. You have the right to privacy and confidentiality of your medical information. You have the right to file a complaint if you believe Amedisys is not meeting your needs or is violating your rights.

If you have a complaint about Amedisys, you can contact the agency's patient advocate or quality improvement department first. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with your state's health department or with CMS. You can also contact your state's long-term care ombudsman if you are in a facility receiving Amedisys services. These complaints are investigated, and agencies can face penalties if they violate regulations.

You also have the right to see your medical records and to know what your insurance is being billed. Ask Amedisys for a copy of your care plan and your visit notes. If you see charges on your insurance bill that you do not understand, ask Amedisys to explain them or contact your insurance company directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose Amedisys if my insurance does not list them as in-network?

You can request Amedisys, but your insurance may not cover the cost if they are out-of-network. Before requesting Amedisys, call your insurance company or check your plan documents to confirm they are in-network in your area. If Amedisys is out-of-network, you may owe the full cost of visits, which can be several hundred dollars per visit.

What if Amedisys cannot serve my area?

Amedisys does not operate in every part of the country. If they do not serve your location, ask your doctor for other agencies in your area. Your insurance company can also provide a list of in-network home health agencies near you. All agencies operate under the same federal rules, so you will receive comparable care from another provider.

How long will I receive home health from Amedisys?

The length of home health care depends on your condition and your progress. Medicare typically covers home health for up to 60 days at a time, but your doctor can order additional 60-day episodes if you need ongoing care. Some patients receive home health for a few weeks; others receive it for several months. Your Amedisys nurse will discuss the expected timeline with you during the initial assessment.

Do I have to pay Amedisys if my insurance denies a claim?

If your insurance denies a claim, Amedisys may bill you for the visit. However, Amedisys must notify you in advance if they believe your insurance may not cover a visit. Ask Amedisys to send you a notice before each visit explaining what your insurance may or may not cover. If you receive a bill you believe is incorrect, contact Amedisys billing and your insurance company to dispute it.

Can I receive home health from Amedisys while in a nursing home or assisted living?

Yes. Amedisys provides home health services to patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other residential settings. The same rules explore — your doctor must order it, and your insurance must cover it. Amedisys staff will coordinate with the facility's staff to provide care.