What is the benefit of getting a home health aid license?

A fellow caregiver asked...

I work for an agency, and was recently informed that I could apply for my Home Health Aid license through the state and that payments of my own clients would be payed to me directly. Is that true? And how does it work? Also, which conditions and illnesses are under Level-1, Level-2, Level-3, and Level-4?

Expert Answer

Merrily Orsini, MSSW, was a pioneer in the business of providing geriatric care managed in-home care. She currently serves on the board of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice and is Chair of the Private Duty Homecare Association. She holds a master's degree in social work and is a nationally known writer and speaker on aging, elder issues, and in-home care.

State licensures as well as state home health aid license regulations vary by state, as do payments for state funded programs.I suggest you contact your state licensure department and get these questions answered.If you have trouble finding a contact, try the state home health association to see if they can assist. To locate a state association contact, go to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice Web site here: http://www.nahc.com/stateforum/directory.html