What LHC Group does and who it serves

LHC Group is a home health company that sends nurses, therapists, and aides to patients' homes to provide medical care. The company operates in about 35 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, though the exact service area changes. LHC Group is a for-profit business, not a government program — it contracts with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance to get paid for the care it delivers.

The services LHC Group offers include skilled nursing (wound care, medication management, catheter care), physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and home health aide visits for personal care and daily tasks. A doctor has to order home health care before LHC Group can start — you cannot call them directly and request services on your own.

LHC Group is one of the largest home health providers in the country by number of patients served, but it is not the only option. Other national chains include Encompass Health, Amedisys, and Visiting Angels, plus many smaller local agencies. Your insurance, your location, and your doctor's referral network will determine which companies are actually available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • LHC Group provides in-home nursing, therapy, and aide services only after a doctor orders home health care.
  • The company is paid by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance — patients typically do not pay LHC Group directly unless they have an out-of-pocket cost-share.
  • Your doctor chooses which home health agency sends someone to your home, though you can ask your doctor to refer you to LHC Group if it serves your area.
  • LHC Group operates in roughly 35 states; you can check their website or call your local office to confirm they serve your zip code.
  • Home health care is usually temporary — it lasts weeks or months while you recover, not indefinitely.

How to get LHC Group services

You cannot contact LHC Group on your own to start services. Instead, your doctor or hospital discharge planner has to write an order for home health care. That order goes to an insurance company (Medicare, Medicaid, or your private plan) for approval, and then the insurance company or your doctor's office chooses which home health agency will provide the care.

If you want LHC Group specifically, tell your doctor or hospital social worker that you prefer that company. They can check whether LHC Group is in-network with your insurance and whether it serves your address. If LHC Group is available and in-network, your doctor can direct the referral there. If it is not available in your area or not contracted with your insurance, your doctor will refer you to another agency instead.

Once the referral is placed, LHC Group will contact you to schedule an initial assessment. A nurse will visit your home, review your medical history, and create a care plan. From that point, nurses, therapists, or aides will visit on a schedule your doctor ordered — this might be twice a week, daily, or some other frequency depending on your needs.

What insurance covers LHC Group services

Medicare covers home health services through its Part A (hospital insurance) if you meet certain conditions: you must be homebound or have difficulty leaving home, a doctor must order the care, and the care must be skilled nursing or therapy — not just personal care or housekeeping. Medicare does not charge a copay for home health visits, though you may owe a 20 percent coinsurance on medical equipment if it is ordered.

Medicaid also covers home health in most states, but the rules vary by state. Some states cover more services than Medicare does; others cover fewer. Your state Medicaid program will tell you whether home health is covered under your plan and what your cost-share is.

Private insurance plans vary widely. Some cover home health the same way Medicare does; others have different rules about how many visits are covered or which types of care are included. Call your insurance company or check your plan documents to learn what home health services are covered and whether LHC Group is in-network.

What to expect during LHC Group visits

The first visit is an assessment, usually lasting 60 to 90 minutes. The nurse will ask detailed questions about your medical history, current medications, and what you need help with. They will check your vital signs, examine any wounds or medical devices, and watch how you move around your home. This information goes into your care plan, which your doctor reviews and approves.

Follow-up visits are usually shorter — 30 to 60 minutes — and focus on the specific care your doctor ordered. A skilled nurse might change a wound dressing, teach you how to use a new medication, or monitor your blood pressure and weight. A therapist might work with you on walking, balance, or speech. An aide might help you bathe, dress, or do light housekeeping. The exact tasks depend on your care plan.

You should expect the same nurse or aide when possible, though staffing changes happen. If you have concerns about the care you are receiving or the person visiting you, tell your LHC Group case manager or call the office directly. Home health agencies are required to respond to complaints and can reassign staff if there is a problem.

How long home health services last

Home health is meant to be temporary. Medicare and most insurance plans expect home health to last until you recover enough to manage on your own or until you move to a different level of care (like assisted living or a nursing home). This might be a few weeks after surgery, several months after a hospital stay, or longer if you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing skilled care.

Your doctor and LHC Group will review your progress regularly. If you are improving and no longer need skilled nursing or therapy, the visits will stop. If you still need care but do not need it as often, the frequency might decrease. If your condition worsens and you need more intensive care than home health can provide, your doctor may refer you to a hospital or facility instead.

You can also choose to stop home health services at any time, though your doctor may advise against it if you still need the care. If you stop services and later need them again, your doctor can place a new referral.

Cost and out-of-pocket expenses

If Medicare or Medicaid is paying for your home health, you typically do not pay LHC Group directly. The insurance company pays the agency, and you pay your insurance cost-share if you have one — this might be a copay, coinsurance, or deductible depending on your plan.

If you have private insurance, your cost-share depends on your plan. Some plans cover home health with no copay; others charge a copay per visit or a percentage of the cost. Check your plan documents or call your insurance company to find out what you will owe.

If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover home health, you can ask LHC Group about their cash rates. These vary by location and service type. Some home health agencies offer sliding-scale fees based on income, though this is not may provide. Ask when you call.

Finding LHC Group in your area

LHC Group has a location finder on its website where you can enter your zip code to see if the company serves your area and to find the local office phone number. You can also ask your doctor's office or hospital discharge planner whether LHC Group is available in your network.

If LHC Group does not serve your area, your doctor will refer you to another home health agency that does. The process and types of services are similar across agencies — the main differences are staffing, scheduling flexibility, and how responsive the office is to your questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose LHC Group if my doctor refers me to a different agency?

You can ask your doctor to refer you to LHC Group instead, and your doctor can do that if the company is in-network with your insurance and serves your address. However, your insurance company has the final say on which agency is used. If LHC Group is out-of-network or not available, your insurance will not pay for it, and you would have to pay out of pocket.

What happens if I am not happy with the nurse or aide visiting me?

Contact your LHC Group case manager or the local office and explain the problem. Home health agencies can reassign staff, and they are required to take complaints seriously. If the issue is not resolved, you can ask your doctor to refer you to a different agency.

Do I have to be completely homebound to get home health?

Medicare requires that you be homebound or have difficulty leaving home without help, but "homebound" does not mean you never leave. It means leaving home takes considerable effort or is medically inadvisable. You can attend medical appointments or religious services and still be considered homebound. Ask your doctor whether you meet the requirement.

How often will LHC Group visit me?

Your doctor decides the frequency based on your needs. This might be once a week, several times a week, or daily. Your care plan will specify the schedule. If you need more or fewer visits, ask your doctor to adjust the order.

What if I move or go to the hospital during home health care?

Tell LHC Group right away. If you move out of their service area, they will stop services and your doctor can refer you to an agency in your new location. If you go to the hospital, home health pauses while you are there. When you are discharged, your doctor can restart home health with LHC Group or another agency.