Resources and FAQs

Addressing our most frequently asked questions and concerns regarding care and our industry.

HOW DO I PAY FOR SERVICES?

A deposit may be required prior to initiation of services and you will be invoiced for all remaining balances on a monthly basis. Check is the preferred method of payment. However, credit card payments are available for your convenience. There is no need to pay your caregivers at anytime. We cover all of our employees taxes and wages. It is against company policy for Employees to accept cash payments, loans or gifts from our clients as this can be viewed as exploitation. Employees are paid an above average hourly wage and eligible to participate in many of our benefit programs to include: Major Medical Health Insurance, Life, Disability, Supplemental and Retirement Benefits.

WHO REGULATES THE HOME CARE INDUSTRY?

River City Home Care is licensed through the Texas Health & Human Services Commission.

WHO PAYS FOR THESE SERVICES?

Private Pay, Long Term Care Insurance and the VetAssist Program are the only payer sources we accept. Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that Medicare and/or Commercial Health Insurance will pay for Personal Assistant Services. Please see below for more information on this topic.

HOW DO I KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE SENDING TO MY HOME IS EXPERIENCED AND DOES NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD?

All prospective employees are subject to a rigorous screening and background check process. If an applicant fails in any area of our multiple step screening process he or she is deemed ineligible for employment. We verify past employment; Nurse Aide Registry; Employment Misconduct Acts (for abuse, neglect and exploitation); State, County and National Background Checks. All employees are subject to non-selective randomized drug testing to the discretion of the agency. Additionally, we verify experience through our comprehensive competency examination.

ARE YOU BONDED & INSURED?

Yes, all River City Home Care Employees are Bonded and Insured through the agency when working a pre-arranged schedule. In the event our employee injures themselves while working with our client the employee would be covered through our Workers Compensation Policy minimizing the clients personal liability.

It is important to note: this is why we highly discourage the hiring of employees privately. If in the event an employee injures themselves the Client would be responsible for any and all liabilities to that employee as they have established a direct “employee / employer relationship.”

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

We have been very blessed to be in business since 2006 and are locally owned and operated.

IF I HAVE A LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE POLICY CAN THEY PAY YOU DIRECTLY?

We will gladly accept an assignment of benefits but only after your Insurance Company has approved you for services. Prior to this point we will require you to pay for all services rendered until the Insurance Company has approved your claim. We have experienced claims specialists that will assist you in this process.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Our principal office is located at: 5262 S. Staples, Suite 215, Corpus Christi, TX 78411.

IS THERE FLEXIBILITY IN THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE?

We avoid a “cookie cutter approach” to care as each individual client’s needs are different. We can coordinate specific request as long as it remains within the “Scope of our Specialty;” maintains compliance with our Regulatory Agency and is a feasible request.

RESOURCES

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HOME CARE COVERAGE THROUGH MEDICARE AND YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS There is a common misconception by many that Medicare and Health Insurance will cover all related expenses associated with their “Home Care” needs. Unfortunately, this is not true. There are many services that are not covered through Medicare & Health Insurance that are essential in providing adequate coverage for seniors while attempting to remain in the comforts and safety of their own home. Let’s take a moment to review what is covered through Medicare and Health Insurance and what’s not:

WHAT IS COVERED?

HOME HEALTH CARE – Medicare and Commercial Health Insurance benefits often provide the following services:

-Physical Therapy -Occupational Therapy -Speech Therapy -Wound Care -Skilled Nursing (which includes: Blood Pressure checks, diabetic teaching, medication management) -Social Worker Visits Most Home Health Companies will provide a complementary C.N.A. or Certified Nurses Aide (this usually consist of 1-2 visits per week for no more than 1 hours at a time (this may includes a bath, food preparation and light housekeeping) usually for a limited time frame. The remainder of the time Family is expected to assist their loved ones with their Activities of Daily Living or ADL’s.

HOSPICE CARE – focuses on the Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Support for end of life care.

Services usually include: -Pastoral Support -Social Workers Support -Education to Patient and Family -Registered Nursing Care -Pain Management Support -Crisis Care may be provided but for a limited time.

WHAT ISN’T COVERED?

Non-Medical Home Care – these agencies fill the “Gap” where traditional “Home Health and Hospice” leave off.

Services Include: -Personal Care -Companionship -Homemaker Services -Meal Preparation -Medication Reminders -Grooming and Personal Hygiene -Bathing and Dressing Assistance -Grocery Shopping and Errand Services -Companionship at Facilities and Hospitals -Transportation Services -Picking up Prescriptions and much more. These services are often the most critical factors in allowing one to remain in the comforts of their own home. Family members are often unable to assist for numerous reasons; that’s why Non-Medical Home Care agencies are so instrumental in assisting at home with one’s ADL’s. Clients usually pay “Out of Pocket” or “Private Pay” at a rate range of $25-$45/per hour. Services are often provided by a Certified Nurse’s Aide or experienced Caregivers. Some seniors may be fortunate to have Long Term Care Insurance that may help supplement the cost of “non-medical home care.”

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

Long Term Care Insurance – can pay for services rendered if an individual needs assistance and unable to perform certain activities of daily living without “hands on or standby” assistance from some one else.

Most policies require needing help with at least 2 of the following ADL’s: -Bathing -Dressing -Feeding -Toileting -Ambulation -Incontinent Care -Cognitive Impairment Many seniors are unaware that it may not be too late to purchase a Long Term Care Insurance Policy. Many policies are designed to assist you with “your needs in mind.” For the younger generations who strive to stock pile for their retirement, Long Term Care policies can be the most critical factor in Retirement Planning that is often overlooked. The cost of care at retirement is often what depletes one’s savings. Long Term Care Insurance can help preserve your savings because they are designed to pay for the services that Medicare and Health Insurance will not. For more information call your local insurance agent or financial planner to determine if you qualify.

OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES:

-Medicaid -Community Based Alternatives -Primary Home Care -Alamo Area Counsel of Government -VA Aide and Attendance -VetAssist Program These are State, Federal and County Programs that will help pay for the above services. However, qualifying may be difficult and there are often limits to what services you can receive. Often you may be required to “Spend Down” or have little to no assets to qualify for these programs. For more information please visit this website: www.elderoptionsoftexas.com If you are looking to remain in your own home, and needing additional assistance you may want to consider calling a non-medical homecare agency to supplement what Medicare and your Health Insurance benefits do not provide. When looking for an agency be certain that the agency thoroughly conducts background checks on its employees and that they are licensed, bonded and insured.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

-Family Caregiver Stress-Busting Support Program – 800-272-3900
-Mir Senior Care Management and Care Consultants – 361-814-3300 www.mircarconsultants.com
-Baker & Baker Elder Law 361-985-2226 www.bakerselderlaw.com
-Alzheimer’s Association 210-822-6449 www.alz.org
–American Council on Aging

What Our Clients Say About Us

\"Thank you River City Home Care for providing me peace of mind with my fall detector button. It is not big & bulky. It fits like a necklace and removes my worry. I am so grateful and want other Seniors to know how this can possibly help them too. Thank you for all you do.\"

M.W.

River City Home Care is a great resource for seniors I know that want to recover in their own home and avoid a long term stay in a nursing home. Professional and compassionate staff. Very experienced in reviewing Long Term Care Insurance policies in a way that really helps in a time of need.

Pamela

I had the pleasure of working closely with Lisa Autry. She was reliable, very professional, and easy to communicate with. She is always on her A-game. Thank you Lisa! I high recommend River City Home Care.

Chelsea H.

River City Homecare has taken care of my Dad for over 5 years now with excellent quality care. The staff is consistently responsive to all of his needs and he has always been happy with them. River City Homecare gives families peace of mind when loved ones need a little extra care at home.

J.S.

I\'ve always believed that it just takes one person to make a difference in the lives of others, but recently, my family has experienced it personally. My father has Parkinson\'s disease and my mother has diabetes. They have struggled with their illnesses during the past few years and thought that it was about time that they might have to give up their home and move to a facility that provides health care. River City Home Care came to the rescue and provided them a caregiver that has transformed their world. She is sweet, kind, sensitive, loving, honest and one of the hardest workers I have ever known. She goes above and beyond, every day, to assess my parents needs so that she can provide the individualized care that they need. My parents are happier and more at peace than I have seen them in a long time. They have a positive outlook on life and they look forward to every day in their home. I cannot tell you how thankful we are for the service that has been provided through River City Home Care and their staff.

Jayme P.