Interim HealthCare is a home health agency, not a government program

Interim HealthCare is a private home health company that sends nurses, aides, and therapists to your home. It is not a government program you enroll in through Medicare or Medicaid, though Medicare and Medicaid do pay for some of its services. The company operates in multiple states and handles everything from wound care and medication management to physical therapy and personal care information.

If you have been referred to Interim HealthCare by a hospital, doctor, or insurance plan, or if you are looking at it as an option for home care, you need to know what it actually provides, how payment works, and what to expect when a nurse or aide arrives at your home.

Key Takeaways

  • Interim HealthCare is a private company that sends medical professionals to your home; it is not a government benefit program.
  • Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance may pay for Interim HealthCare services, but coverage depends on your specific plan and whether your doctor orders the care.
  • A doctor's order is required for most services, and a nurse will visit first to assess what you need before regular care begins.
  • You can contact Interim HealthCare directly, but your insurance company or hospital discharge planner can also arrange a referral.
  • Out-of-pocket costs vary widely depending on your insurance and the type of care; ask about costs before services start.

What services Interim HealthCare actually provides

Interim HealthCare sends different types of workers depending on what your doctor orders. A registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) might handle medication management, wound dressing changes, catheter care, or monitoring for signs of infection or complications. A home health aide helps with bathing, dressing, toileting, and other personal care tasks. Physical therapists and occupational therapists work on mobility, strength, and adapting your home so you can move around safely.

The company also provides speech therapy for swallowing or communication problems, medical social work to help you navigate insurance or community resources, and skilled nursing visits for complex medical needs. What you actually receive depends entirely on what your doctor writes in an order and what your insurance will pay for.

Interim HealthCare does not provide 24-hour live-in care or round-the-clock monitoring. If you need someone present at all times, you would need a different arrangement or multiple daily visits scheduled with the company.

How payment and insurance work

Interim HealthCare accepts Medicare, Medicaid (which varies by state), and most private insurance plans. Medicare covers skilled nursing and therapy services if a doctor orders them and you meet specific conditions — usually that you are homebound or mostly homebound and need care that requires a trained professional. Medicaid coverage also depends on your state and your specific plan.

If you have private insurance through an employer or the individual market, your plan may cover home health services, but you will need to check your policy or call your insurance company to confirm. Some plans require prior authorization, meaning your doctor must get approval before services begin.

If you have no insurance or your insurance does not cover home health, Interim HealthCare can provide services on a private-pay basis. Costs vary by location and type of service — a nurse visit costs more than an aide visit — so ask for a price estimate before you commit. Some people pay out of pocket for a few visits while waiting for insurance approval.

How to get your free guide with Interim HealthCare

Most people are referred to Interim HealthCare by a hospital, doctor's office, or rehabilitation facility. If you are being discharged from a hospital, the discharge planner usually arranges the referral and sends your medical information to the company. If your doctor thinks you need home health, they can write an order and send it directly to Interim HealthCare or to your insurance company.

You can also contact Interim HealthCare directly by phone or through their website to ask about services in your area. When you call, have your insurance information ready and be prepared to describe what kind of help you need. The company will tell you whether they serve your location and whether your insurance is accepted.

Once a referral is received, a nurse from Interim HealthCare will schedule an initial assessment visit. During this visit, the nurse reviews your medical history, current medications, your home setup, and what you need help with. This assessment determines what services will be ordered and how often a nurse or aide will visit.

What happens during a typical visit

A nurse visit usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what needs to be done. The nurse may check your blood pressure and temperature, review your medications to make sure you are taking them correctly, change a wound dressing, draw blood for lab work, or teach you how to use medical equipment. They document everything in a chart that is shared with your doctor.

A home health aide visit typically lasts one to two hours. The aide helps you bathe, use the toilet, get dressed, and move around safely. They may also help with light housekeeping related to your care, like washing the clothes you wore or cleaning the bathroom. Aides do not do general housekeeping, yard work, or errands unrelated to your medical care.

Therapy visits — physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy — usually last 45 minutes to an hour. The therapist works with you on exercises, mobility, or communication skills and may suggest changes to your home to prevent falls or make movement easier.

Common reasons Interim HealthCare services are ordered

Interim HealthCare is typically ordered after a hospital stay, surgery, or serious illness when you need skilled care at home but are not well enough to go to a rehabilitation facility. Common situations include recovery from hip or knee replacement, management of diabetes or heart disease, wound care after surgery, physical therapy after a stroke, and monitoring after a fall or serious infection.

The company also serves people with chronic conditions who need regular nursing visits — for example, someone with congestive heart failure who needs weekly weight checks and medication adjustments, or someone with a complex wound that requires professional dressing changes. If your condition is stable and you only need help with personal care, your doctor might order a home health aide instead of a nurse.

What to know about costs and coverage limits

Medicare covers home health services with no copay if the services are deemed medically necessary and you meet the homebound requirement. However, Medicare limits how many visits you can have and for how long — typically a few weeks to a few months depending on your progress. Once you improve enough to leave home or no longer need skilled care, Medicare stops paying.

Medicaid coverage varies significantly by state. Some states cover home health generously; others cover only specific services. You will need to contact your state Medicaid program or your Medicaid managed care plan to find out what is covered.

Private insurance plans have different rules. Some cover home health with a copay per visit; others cover it fully if prior authorization is obtained. A few plans do not cover home health at all. Call your insurance company and ask specifically whether home health nursing and aide services are covered, what the copay is, and whether your doctor needs to get approval first.

Questions to ask before services start

Before Interim HealthCare begins visiting, ask your doctor or the company directly: How many visits per week will I receive? For how long? What will each visit include? What is my out-of-pocket cost? Do I need to do anything to prepare my home? What should I do if I have a medical emergency during a visit? Who do I call if I have questions or need to reschedule?

Also ask whether the same nurse or aide will visit each time, or whether different staff members will come. Consistency can matter for your comfort and for continuity of care. If you have concerns about a particular staff member, you can request a change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Interim HealthCare work with Medicare?

Yes. Medicare covers Interim HealthCare services if a doctor orders them, you are homebound or mostly homebound, and the care is skilled nursing or therapy. You pay nothing if Medicare approves the services, but coverage is temporary — usually a few weeks to a few months depending on your progress and how quickly you improve.

What if I cannot afford the out-of-pocket cost?

Ask Interim HealthCare about payment plans or sliding scale fees based on income. Some local nonprofits also help pay for home health services. Your social worker or discharge planner can point you toward resources in your area.

Can I choose which nurse or aide visits me?

You can request consistency and ask for a change if you are uncomfortable with a particular staff member. Interim HealthCare will try to accommodate, but availability depends on their staffing in your area. Speak up early if there is a problem.

What happens if I do not improve or I get worse?

Your doctor and the Interim HealthCare team will reassess your care plan. If you are improving, visits may decrease or stop. If you are getting worse or need more intensive care, your doctor may order more visits, refer you to a hospital, or suggest a different level of care like assisted living or hospice.

Can I stop services whenever I want?

Yes. You can ask Interim HealthCare to stop visits at any time. However, talk to your doctor first — stopping too early might mean you do not recover as well, and you may need to restart services later. If your insurance is paying, stopping early does not reduce your costs.