Commonwealth Home Care

Commonwealth Home Care is a provider of high-quality, evidence-based home health care services. Our mission is to deliver compassionate care to our clients, helping them achieve the highest level of functionality, safety, and independence possible. With over 40 years of experience in healthcare, our clinicians have the expertise necessary to create innovative specialty programs that empower patients to manage their conditions independently.

At Commonwealth Home Care, we understand that recovering from illness or injury can be challenging. That's why we are committed to providing the care you need, when you need it, so you can maintain your lifestyle and get back to your normal activities as quickly as possible. Our team of medical professionals includes skilled nursing care providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, home health aides, and medical social workers. Together, we offer a range of services designed to help you manage your condition and maintain your independence.

Our Services

Commonwealth Home Care provides a variety of services aimed at promoting functional independence, safety, and well-being in the home. Our services include:

• Skilled Nursing Care: Our registered nurses provide high-quality, evidence-based care to help you manage your condition and achieve your health goals. From medication management to wound care and disease management, our nurses work closely with you and your healthcare team to provide the care you need.
• Physical Therapy: Our physical therapists work with you to improve your strength, mobility, and functional ability. Whether you're recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, our therapists will create a customized plan of care to help you achieve your goals.
• Occupational Therapy: Our occupational therapists help you regain the skills necessary for daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and cooking. We also help you modify your home environment to promote safety and independence.
• Speech Therapy: Our speech therapists work with you to improve communication skills and swallowing ability. Whether you've experienced a stroke or other neurological event, we will help you regain your verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
• Home Health Aides: Our home health aides provide compassionate care to help you with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. We also provide light housekeeping and meal preparation services.
• Medical Social Work: Our medical social workers help you navigate the complex healthcare system and connect you with community resources. We also provide counseling and support to help you cope with the challenges of illness or injury.
• Specialty Services: We offer a variety of specialty programs aimed at helping patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. These programs offer innovative, evidence-based interventions designed to promote functional independence and improve quality of life.

At Commonwealth Home Care, we believe that every patient deserves the highest level of care. That's why we focus on evidence-based care, ensuring that the interventions we provide are highly effective and backed by the latest research.

PDGM Guide for Home Health Referral Sources

The Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) is the new Medicare payment model for home health agencies effective January 1, 2020. The PDGM model emphasizes patient characteristics, rather than service volume, in determining payment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the new requirements to ensure accurate payment for services provided.

Under PDGM, eligibility requirements have not changed. However, specificity of diagnosis is now important for accurate payment. CMS has eliminated most unspecified codes and symptom codes from the payment model. Additionally, secondary diagnoses will need to be included in documentation. CMS will now include up to 25 diagnoses instead of the 6 previously considered for reimbursement calculations.

Therapy thresholds are no longer included in payment calculations. Instead, payment for therapy visits will be included in payment based on the patient's functional limitations and diagnosis. Episodes of care will continue to be 60 days. However, payment periods will now be 30 days, with each episode of care divided into two payment periods.

Orders given to the agency during each 30-day payment period must be signed and dated by the ordering physician on or before the plan of care is signed. Physician orders given during each 30-day payment period must be signed and dated by the ordering physician on or before the plan of treatment is signed and include face-to-face encounters, so it is essential to ensure all orders are up to date and accurate.

At Commonwealth Home Care, we understand the new requirements under PDGM and are committed to ensuring accurate payment for the services we provide.