Home Care & Home Health FAQ

A caregiver is present to monitor safety, preventing accidents, wandering, or dangerous situations.

No, they only provide reminders. Giving medication is a nursing task.

Companion care does not involve hands-on help like bathing. It focuses on social and household support.

No, our services are limited to light housekeeping to maintain a safe environment.

Our caregivers use 'soft' approaches, building trust and rapport before assisting with personal tasks. We focus on making the senior feel in control.

Yes, we provide care from early stages where only reminders are needed to late-stage care involving full assistance with all activities.

Yes, our CNAs and caregivers receive instruction on memory loss, communication techniques, and safety protocols.

We strive for consistency in our staffing because familiar faces are important for people with memory loss.

Protective oversight means a caregiver is always there to monitor the senior's actions to prevent them from hurting themselves or wandering away.

We can typically start care within 48 hours of your free assessment and the receipt of necessary physician orders.

Care usually begins within 48 hours of receiving a referral and physician orders.

Yes, home health is a medical service that requires a physician's order.

It means leaving home is difficult due to illness and requires taxing effort or help.

No, we provide intermittent visits. We are open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Our team includes staff fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish.

Yes, to receive skilled therapy services at home, a physician must provide orders. We work with your doctor to coordinate your care.

The frequency depends on your needs and doctor's orders. Some patients see a therapist twice a week, while others need more frequent visits.

Yes, for many patients it is more effective because you learn to function in the environment where you actually live.

EliteCare provides services in English, Russian, and Spanish. We match you with staff who can communicate comfortably with you.

Most sessions last between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on your stamina and the goals for that day.

Yes. Post-surgical rehab is one of our core services. We help you regain mobility and ensure your home is safe for recovery.

A CNA has specific medical training and certification, while an aide focuses on daily tasks. Both provide high-quality personal care.

Yes, our staff is trained in the safe use of Hoyer lifts and other transfer devices.

For Medicaid or insurance, an order is usually required. An RN assessment is always required for all clients.

We provide care 7 days a week, including holidays, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

We can typically start care within 48 hours of receiving the official referral and physician orders.

We try to provide consistent staffing so you can build a relationship with your care team.

Yes, home care visits are designed to support you. A family member is encouraged to be present during the initial assessment.

Yes, our office is open seven days a week, and we can process referrals and start care on weekends.

We can help you remember to schedule and prepare for your follow-up visits with your surgeon or doctor.

No, post-hospital care allows you to receive professional support in your own home instead of a facility.

We can provide respite care for as little as a few hours up to a full day.

No, you can stay to rest or work in another room, or you can go out for errands.

No, we provide respite for family caregivers of adults with disabilities or illnesses of all ages.

Medicare generally does not cover in-home respite. It is mostly covered by private pay, insurance, or Medicaid/IHSS.

Yes, we are licensed by the CDPHE as a Class A and Class B agency, License #04Z659.

Frequency depends on the personalized care plan created by our Registered Nurse and your doctor's orders.

Yes, the care plan is reviewed by our Registered Nurse and can be adjusted as health needs evolve.

Yes, our office is open and we provide care 7 days a week, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

We provide senior home care throughout Aurora, Denver, and the surrounding metro areas.

Yes. A nurse or therapist can visit for medical needs while a caregiver helps with bathing, meals and chores on other days.

Generally, no. Medicare pays for skilled home health. It does not pay for homemaker services when that is the only help you need.

No. The homebound rule applies to Medicare home health. Non-medical home care has no homebound requirement.

No. A certified nursing assistant helps with personal care and some health-related tasks under a registered nurse's supervision. A CNA does not provide skilled nursing.

Ask the doctor's office, or call us. With your permission, we can contact the office to check for orders.

Registered nurses supervise care at every level, including non-medical home care. The nurse writes the care plan and checks in regularly.

In many cases, yes. A relative or friend can be hired as your attendant through an IHSS agency like EliteCare. Some rules apply, so confirm with your case manager.

No. The homebound rule is part of Medicare home health. It does not apply to IHSS.

You must first be enrolled in Health First Colorado. Then ask your case manager for an assessment and tell them you want the IHSS option.

With IHSS, you or your authorized representative choose, train and schedule your attendant. With regular agency care, the agency assigns and schedules the caregiver.

We can offer an attendant from our team. Our staff speaks English, Russian and Spanish.

No. Your case manager authorizes a set number of hours based on your assessed needs. IHSS is not a 24-hour service.

We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna. For other plans, call (720) 219-8146 and we will check whether we can work with your plan.

We check your benefits before care starts. We call your insurer and explain your coverage, including any deductible, copay or visit limit.

Most private plans cover skilled home health care that is medically necessary. They usually do not cover non-medical companion care.

Yes. Most private plans require a doctor's order, and many require prior authorization before the first visit.

If you reach your plan's limit and still need help, we can talk about private pay or other programs you may qualify for.

Often, yes. If your doctor orders physical therapy for an injury, surgery or illness, many plans cover home visits.

Eligibility depends on income, assets and other rules. You can apply through your county human services office or online through PEAK.

The number of hours depends on your assessed needs and your benefits. Your case manager can confirm what you qualify for, and we can help you understand the next steps.

Yes. If you are authorized for home care, you can choose a licensed agency that accepts Health First Colorado. Tell your case manager you want EliteCare.

Medicare home health covers short-term skilled care for people who are homebound. Health First Colorado can also pay for longer-term help with daily tasks for members who qualify.

It can. When your doctor orders physical, occupational or speech therapy, Health First Colorado may cover visits at home.

Once we receive the authorization and physician orders, care can begin within 48 hours.

For eligible patients on Original Medicare, there is usually no copay or deductible for covered home health visits. Medical equipment such as a walker is billed separately and usually has a 20% coinsurance. Medicare Advantage plans set their own rules, so we check your plan before care starts.

Care is approved in 60-day periods. Your doctor can certify another period if you are still homebound and still need skilled care. There is no set limit on the number of periods.

No. A hospital stay is not required. Your doctor needs to certify that you are homebound and need skilled care, and you need a face-to-face visit within the required time frame.

No. Medicare home health covers part-time or intermittent visits. It does not pay for 24-hour care or for daily help with chores when that is the only help you need.

Yes. You can choose any Medicare-certified agency that serves your area. Tell your doctor or hospital discharge planner that you would like to use EliteCare.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include home health benefits, but they may require prior authorization or in-network agencies. Call us and we will check your plan with you.

Care can begin within 48 hours of receiving the referral and physician orders.

Yes. A registered nurse visits your home for a free in-home assessment.

We're open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Care in English, Russian and Spanish.

The Denver metro within 30 miles of our Aurora office, including Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Adams and Jefferson counties.