Model Program
Medical Social Work Services, Inc.
Effective delivery of Social Services is the key to positive
long term impact studies and the total validation of
the Medicare Home Health Program.
Our
field tested model is a blueprint for providing social
services in compliance with the Federal Home Health Law's
Conditions of Participation, and is a demonstration of how
effective social services can be delivered within the scope of
existing funding, regulations, oversight, and delivery
programs.
Unmet Social
Needs Undermine Long Term Impact
The Federal Medicare
Home Health Program has proven to be effective and efficient
in the delivery of medical services to elderly
patients. Outcome studies establish the program’s success by
documenting quicker, more complete, and less expensive
recovery when medical care is provided in the
home. However, the same outcome studies find the long-
term impact of home based medical services to be
disappointing.
Measurable long-term
impact requires evidence of improved quality of life of
recipients of home health services (usually
measured in terms of self-sufficiency and independent living).
When unaddressed social needs result in the loss of
independence, there are no long-term benefits to measure.
The responsibility of insuring the patient will receive
adequate support upon discharge rests squarely on the medial
social worker. The effectiveness of a plan to prolong
the patient’s independence depends upon the quality of social
services.
We believe medical
social services delivered as expected and required by the
Federal Law will fully validate the effectiveness of medical
services delivered in a home setting
Federal Law Expectations are Attainable
For a number of
understandable (but unacceptable) reasons, the
prevailing model of home health social service delivery
virtually guarantees an ineffective outcome. Our model
for social service delivery not only provides a mechanism for
management to fully utilize the skills and knowledge of the
social worker to the benefit of the patient, but it also
improves the overall effectiveness of the home
health "team" and facilitates full compliance with
Medicare's Conditions of Participation.
Essential
Elements of Model
-
It is
client/patient centered in every detail.
-
It anticipates
required compliance with the Federal Regulations
-
It requires that
Home Health Social Workers have appropriate training,
experience and skills.
-
It reflects the
principles and ethics of the Profession of Social Work.
-
It is user friendly
for both Social Workers and Home Health Staff. .
(click here)
-
It enables a Social
Worker to be a social worker. (For example, it requires,
rather than prohibits, pre-visit interventions when
indicated, as well as completion of care plan goals
after payer source discharge).
-
It improves
communication with all levels of HHA.
-
It produces timely
typed medical record documentation in narrative format, that
is logical in progression, legible, and easy to understand
(assessment and care plans via "check the box" forms are
prohibited).
-
It simplifies
personnel management for the HHA.
-
It enhances
marketability of HHA.
(For more information
regarding the model program's positive impact on the patient,
the social worker, and the home health provider, please click
>
Consultation).
___________________________________________
Contact Us
Medical Social
Work Services, Inc.
1745 Binney Drive, Ft. Pierce, FL
34949
E-Mail
JohnAshcraftMSW@bellsouth.net
Phone / Fax (772) 467-0709
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