This page does not give discharge, recovery, or treatment instructions. It helps families compare agencies and prepare better questions.
The most important directory questions are whether the agency serves the ZIP code, accepts the coverage, can provide the ordered service, and can start within the needed timeline.
What to confirm before calling agencies
Ask the hospital discharge planner or ordering provider which home health services were ordered, whether a Medicare-certified agency is required, and whether care needs to start by a specific date.
Then compare agencies by ZIP-code availability, Medicare certification, insurance participation, services listed, and how quickly intake can review the referral.
Questions families can ask each agency
Use the same questions with every agency so the answers are easier to compare. Ask whether the agency is accepting new patients in the ZIP code, whether it provides the ordered service, and whether it accepts the patient plan.
Also ask how referrals are received, who contacts the family, and whether the agency coordinates directly with the ordering provider or discharge planner.
Keep clinical questions with clinicians
Questions about symptoms, recovery instructions, medications, or treatment changes should go to the hospital team, doctor, pharmacist, or agency clinician.
Use the directory for comparison
Use provider profiles, city pages, and service pages to build a shortlist before making calls.
Where to start on this site
Start with the city page for the patient location, then narrow by service type if the order mentions skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, or home health aide support.
If coverage is unclear, use the Medicare eligibility checker as a preparation tool before asking the agency or plan to confirm benefits.
Agency comparison checklist after discharge
- Confirm the agency serves the exact ZIP code.
- Ask whether it accepts new referrals right now.
- Confirm the ordered service is available.
- Ask whether Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, or another plan applies.
- Ask when intake can review the referral.
- Ask who contacts the family before the first visit.
Find agencies by city
Compare Medicare-certified agencies in the patient location.
ContinueCheck Medicare fit
Prepare coverage questions before calling agencies.
ContinueQuestions to ask
Use a consistent call script for every agency.
ContinueSources and editorial note
This guide is for general education and directory research. It is not medical advice, legal advice, insurance advice, or a coverage decision. Confirm care needs with the ordering provider, the agency, Medicare, or the patient health plan.
Sources used for this guide: