Frequently Asked Questions

PathWell Health has more than 150 clinicians and caregivers, in addition to our corporate employees in finance, sales, and operations.

Our Careers page describes details of the application process, including how the information you submit will be used and stored.

Thank you for applying to PathWell Health! You will receive an email shortly after submitting your application confirming it is being reviewed by our recruiting team. If we feel you are a potential match, a member of our recruiting team will contact you, typically within two weeks.

If we feel you do not meet the specific qualifications at this time, you will receive a notification that we will keep your resume on file for future opportunities.

PathWell Health and all our agencies are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other legally protected characteristic.

In some cases, we may ask applicants for demographic information for the purpose of monitoring equal opportunity or complying with applicable laws. This information will be recorded and separated from your application before the selection process begins.

If you have difficulties or questions about applying online, please contact the agency to which you applied, or the recruiter who has been working directly with you.

You may be eligible to receive home healthcare under the Medicare benefit if:

• Your doctor prescribes home healthcare for you
• You need either skilled nursing care or therapy (physical/occupational/speech therapy) on an intermittent basis
• Your condition limits your ability to leave home, rendering you “homebound”

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers eligible home healthcare services including:

• Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Medical-related social services
• Part-time or intermittent hands-on health aide services

You or a loved one may be able to qualify for service with one or more of the following conditions:

• Recent hospitalization or surgery
• Safety at home after falls or health changes
• Multiple medications
• New diagnoses such as congestive heart failure, COPD, stroke, or diabetes
• Orthopaedic rehabilitation
• Macular degeneration, glaucoma, or other visual impairment
• Incontinence
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy
• Swallowing issues

You or a loved one may benefit from home healthcare if you:

• Have a chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or COPD
• Are recovering from surgery, hospitalization or illness
• Need help to get out of the house
• Frequently visit your doctor or the hospital
• Need education to manage your condition effectively
• Are at risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 (age 65+ or any age with an underlying condition)

On the first visit, a nurse or therapist will conduct a thorough interview and professional assessment. Our assessment identifies areas where you may benefit from education and tools to manage your health.

We partner with your doctor as well as family and caregivers to determine the best services for your needs. This team approach actively engages you and your caregivers in your healthcare and, if applicable, helps to make the transition from a hospital or nursing facility to your home much easier.

The frequency and type of home healthcare visits are based on your personal plan of care. Your doctor may change your plan of care as necessary, increasing or decreasing the number of visits or services provided, in order to provide you with the best home healthcare for your needs.

Absolutely, and we’d be honored to care for you or your loved one. Federal law gives patients the freedom to choose their healthcare provider.

A nurse or therapist will contact you by phone to schedule the first visit. If you’re coming from a hospital or nursing facility, the initial visit will usually happen within 48 hours after you’re discharged to make the transition easier.

Medicare pays 100% of the cost of home healthcare services for eligible patients. Your state’s Medicaid program or your private insurance may also cover home healthcare.

Yes. Our home healthcare agencies are Medicare-certified. This is a requirement for Medicare to cover the cost of home healthcare services.

Your residence is wherever you call home. This may be your house, an apartment, a relative’s home, a senior community, or some other type of residence. However, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities may not be considered a “home,” which would mean we cannot provide home healthcare services in those settings.

Your doctor will determine the number of visits you receive, how often the visits should occur and how long they should last, based on your needs and health status.

We thoroughly screen and train our home healthcare team members. Patient care staff have professional licenses and certifications that are applicable to their role. We also perform background checks and require several personal and professional references. Once hired, PathWell Health employees continue honing their skills through an extensive orientation process and ongoing education.

Homebound means your condition is such that:

• You’re normally unable to safely leave your home without help from others and the aid of assistive devices (such as crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs)
• Leaving home would require considerable and taxing effort. You can generally leave home as often as you need for medical treatment that cannot be provided in the home and still be considered homebound. You’re also allowed brief absences from the home for some non-medical reasons, such as an occasional trip to the barber or beauty shop, to attend church, or for unique family events (like a graduation or wedding). Such trips must be infrequent and require a considerable and taxing effort
• You’re at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (age 65+ or any age with an underlying condition)

Home healthcare provides skilled clinical treatment for an illness or injury, with the goal of helping you recover and regain your independence. Home healthcare can also help you manage a chronic condition like heart disease, COPD, or diabetes. Additionally, home healthcare can sometimes include certain personal care services, like help bathing and dressing, as part of the plan of care ordered by your doctor.

Personal home care services include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation or your normal activities of daily living in order to remain independent within your home. Learn more about the difference between home health and home care.

Hospice care provides compassionate, supportive care and comfort for those who are facing a terminal illness. It offers medical, social, psychological, bereavement and spiritual services that support a patient and their loved ones.

No. Hospitalization is not a requirement to receive home healthcare. Many patients are referred by their doctor.

If you have Medicaid or a limited income, you may qualify for personal care services at no cost to you. We can work with your local agencies to seek approval and evaluate your needs to determine coverages available to you. Other types of payment and insurance may be accepted and vary based on your area.

Our team members have chosen PathWell Health for our supportive environment, flexible schedules and opportunities for advancement and growth. Our benefits include:

• Competitive compensation
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Flexible schedules
• Short driving time
• Comprehensive training and ongoing education
• Opportunities for advancement and growth
• Company-provided cell phones and tablets for certain positions

Our home health services are tailored to each client’s needs. The cost of in-home care depends on several factors, including the:

• Type of home caregiver services needed
• Number of hours of care per week
• Location where services will be delivered

To get a personalized cost estimate, call the PathWell Health agency near you or (844) 355-9355. We can talk through options that work with your budget.

Personal care is often families’ first choice for senior care. It can be a cost-effective way to age in place and an appealing alternative to nursing home care. PathWell Health is committed to keeping your expenses as low as possible. We accept:

• Private pay (out-of-pocket)
• Payment through long-term care insurance, or other insurance for eligible individuals
• Payment through local elder state health systems (such as Aging Services Access Points, or ASAPs)
• Workers’ compensation insurance

PathWell Health may be able to provide documentation to support clients with their long-term care insurance claims. Give us a call to learn more. We can also guide you through your payment options, help you find community resources you may be eligible for, and create a cost-effective plan of care that works with your budget.

No. Clients are typically invoiced weekly, after the completion of services. You do not have to pay your homecare professional directly.

It’s important to us that you feel comfortable with your personal care attendant. For this reason, we strongly encourage your involvement in choosing a caregiver.

As part of our initial assessment, we’ll learn about the qualities you’re looking for in a care assistant. This helps us match your loved one with someone who is well-suited to their needs. If your loved one feels the caregiver is a good fit, we’ll begin care. If the personal caregiver doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll work with you until we find the right match. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

All our private caregivers are fully insured, in accordance with state law, and fully bonded against theft. In addition, we thoroughly screen and train our home attendants. As a large home care company, we are able to attract highly qualified caregivers and have thorough criteria and checks in place to ensure our caregivers are deserving of your trust. We also have rigorous training programs in place to support ongoing learning and development

Yes. Our care is overseen by a nursing professional. Nurses conduct assessments and provide oversight, case management and care planning to help ensure your loved one receives high-quality personal care. The care team stays in close communication with the family and healthcare team about the client’s condition and needs.

We also use several tools to hold our caregivers accountable. For example, we verify time and attendance, so you can have a written record of home care visits.

We have back-up coverage in the event your caregiver gets sick or is unavailable. Back-up caregivers will have a similar level of skill and training as your main caregiver. They’ll also be updated on the client’s care plan before visiting your loved one. We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The bond between clients and caregivers is the foundation of a successful home care experience. For this reason, we work diligently to match your loved one with a home care professional who is compatible and sets them at ease.

Depending on the type of care your loved one needs, they can generally expect to see the same personal attendant. If your needs or schedule changes, or your home caretaker is unavailable, we have a large network of elderly helpers who can provide back-up care.

In-home personal care is often the first choice for seniors who prefer to stay in the comfort of home as they grow older. Families often look for personal care when their loved one is struggling to live safely at home on their own. If your loved one would rather avoid going to a nursing home or other senior care facility as long as possible, private duty home care may be right for you.

Signs your loved one may need personal home care include:

• Falling frequently or having a fear of falling
• Not bathing or changing clothes regularly
• Missing doctor’s appointments
• Skipping meals or eating mostly unhealthy foods
• Leaving the stove on
• Wandering from home
• Wanting to stay home and out of a nursing home or other facility
• Needing more care than insurance covers
• Needing services that may not be covered by insurance, such as companionship or help with household chores
• Requiring live-in or round-the-clock care to be able to stay safe at home

We often work with seniors who don’t feel they need help. By quickly building rapport and demonstrating our usefulness, our caregivers are able to establish strong bonds.

In-home assistance offers vital support for family caregivers. For example:

• Home care supplements the work of family caregivers, so you have the energy to continue providing effective care
• In-home caregivers are your eyes and ears for those times when you need to be away from home
• You can take a rest from your caregiving responsibilities to fulfill other obligations, recharge or take care of yourself

With the extra support private home care provides, many family caregivers feel greater satisfaction and closeness with their loved one. By practicing healthy self-care, you may experience improved health and emotional well-being as well.

We approach each client as a unique individual, taking into account their preferences and goals. Our supervising nursing professionals are experienced in asking the right questions to understand which services will help your loved one most. We’ll set up an initial consultation to learn more about your situation and make personalized recommendations. Throughout your loved one’s time receiving personal care, we’ll monitor their needs so we can ensure they’re receiving the right services at the right time.

No. You do not need a doctor’s referral, certification, or pre-authorization for our personal care services. You do not need to meet eligibility criteria. You can choose the home support services you want and get started on a time frame that works for you.

By contrast, a doctor’s order is required for home healthcare, a type of in-home care that can include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

● We offer hospice-approved medical supplies, including oxygen, walkers, and wheelchairs.
● Our hospice care teams are available 24/7 to answer questions and provide support to patients and their families, regardless of the time of day.
● We create personalized plans for each patient to manage their symptoms using hospice-approved medications and treatments.
● Our hospice aides assist with daily activities, including bathing and dressing, to support patients in their daily routines.
● Our hospice social workers are dedicated to providing support and resources to individuals, families, and caregivers who require assistance.
● Our hospice chaplains offer spiritual care and counseling to those who require it, providing compassionate support during difficult times.
● We tailor our services to the unique needs of each hospice patient, helping them maintain a higher quality of life through personalized care.
● Our short-term inpatient respite care offers caregivers the chance to rest and recover, providing a much-needed break during their loved one’s hospice care.
● Our hospice team is available to provide ongoing counseling and support to patients, their families, and friends throughout the hospice care journey.

Hospice care is typically less expensive than hospitalization or other forms of medical care. The cost of hospice care can vary depending on several factors, including the location, type of care needed, and the specific hospice provider. In the United States, most hospice care is covered by Medicare, which typically covers 100% of hospice costs for eligible patients. Private insurance plans may also cover hospice care, although coverage may vary. For those who are not covered by Medicare or private insurance, there may be other options available to help cover the cost of hospice care. It’s important to discuss the cost of hospice care with the hospice provider and insurance company to determine what is covered and what expenses may be the patient’s responsibility. Additionally, many hospice providers offer counseling and support services to help patients and their families navigate the financial aspects of hospice care.

Another common concern that people have about hospice care is how they will pay for it. In most cases, hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans. At PathWell, we work with patients and their families to help them understand their insurance benefits and ensure that they can access the care they need. Generally, Medicare, Medicaid, and the majority of private insurance plans provide coverage for hospice care. This means that patients can access hospice care services without having to spend a lot or any money.

At PathWell, we adopt a simple and effective approach to hospice care. We provide personalized hospice services tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. Our hospice care program is specifically designed to offer comfort, peace, and dignity to those individuals who need end-of-life care.

At PathWell, we offer a holistic approach to hospice care that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Our team of healthcare professionals is focused on giving customized care that fits the specific needs of each patient.

No, hospice care is available to patients with a wide range of illnesses, including heart disease, dementia, and neurological disorders.

While hospice and palliative care both focus on providing comfort and support, hospice care is specifically for individuals who are nearing the end of their life. Palliative care can be administered at any stage of an acute medical condition and may go hand in hand with other treatments.

Yes, hospice care can be provided in a patient’s home, as well as in a hospice facility, hospital, or nursing home.

The frequency of hospice care visits will depend on the patient’s needs and preferences, as well as the level of care required. Typically, hospice care teams visit patients according to the requirement, but they are available 24/7 for support and care.

Hospice care services include pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, medical equipment and supplies, nursing care, and counseling for the patient and their family.

Yes, hospice care can be provided alongside other types of healthcare, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The hospice care team works with the patient’s other healthcare providers to ensure that they receive the best possible care.

Yes, hospice care can be provided for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s, as well as other chronic illnesses. The hospice care team works with the patient and their family to provide individualized care that meets their specific needs.

Hospice care recognizes that spiritual and emotional support is an important part of end-of-life care. Hospice care teams can connect patients and their families with chaplains or other spiritual advisors, as well as provide counseling and emotional support.

If the patient’s condition improves while receiving hospice care, they may no longer meet the criteria for hospice care. The hospice care team will work with the patient and their family to determine the best course of action for their care.

If the patient passes away while receiving hospice care, the hospice care team will provide bereavement support and assistance to the patient’s family and loved ones.

You can find a hospice care provider in your area by asking your healthcare provider for a referral, contacting your local hospital or healthcare organization, or searching online for hospice care providers in your area.