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High Technology Home Care
The High Technology Home Care Program is an intensive home care program administered by the Division of Disability & Aging Services (DDAS) serving both adults and children. The program coordinates medical supplies, sophisticated medical equipment, and provides skilled nursing care for technology-dependent beneficiaries. The goal is to support the transition from the hospital or other institutional care to the home and to prevent institutional placement.
Candidates for care under the Hi-Tech program are those beneficiaries whose care can be safely managed in a home setting with support from the healthcare community and a motivated family.
The scope and intensity of Hi-Tech services are defined by physician orders according to specific treatment goals, scheduled caregiver training and a planned transition of care to the family who by program definition, are the primary caregivers. Family is defined as “any two or more adult caregivers, not necessarily related, who agree to undertake home care”.
Services Include
When prior authorized, the program covers:
- Supportive Nursing Services (RN or LPN as appropriate)
- High-Tech Aide Services (Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)) With Additional Training
Examples of Diagnoses: An adult with spinal cord injury on a ventilator and with a feeding tube, child with cerebral palsy on a CPAP machine, an adult with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with a tracheotomy and a feeding tube.
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Eligibility
- The beneficiary is Medicaid eligible under coverage that allows these services.
- The beneficiary would remain in an inpatient facility if Hi-Tech services were not available or would necessitate institutional placement if such services were not available.
- The beneficiary requires one high tech modalities usually use of respiratory equipment, dialysis and use of enteral parental feeding.
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Applying for Services
- A physician must document medical necessity.
- The beneficiary of family will review the vendor materials supplied by the DDAS Nurse Coordinator and will select a nursing agency and equipment provider. Each vendor will appoint a case coordinator.
- A care conference will be arranged involving the DDAS Nurse Coordinator and a designated health care team to include the beneficiary and/or caregivers. Physician, nursing staff discharge planner, case coordinators, and others as appropriate.
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Providers of Services
- Home Health Agencies
Home Health Agencies provide health services in the home. Services include: nursing; personal care; physical therapy; homemaker services; hospice care, and social work services.
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Program Contacts
- DDAS - Individual Supports Unit
Phone: 802-241-2648
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Policies and Guidelines
The following evidence of caregiver training must be documented in the beneficiary’s care records:
- Successful operation of medical equipment.
- Ability to provide therapies and medical procedures.
- Successful 24 hour rooming in period.
- Completion of CPR training.
- Safety of home environment such as electrical supply and outlets, adequate space and available telephone.
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Training and Events
- High Technology Home Care trainings can be found on the Division of Disability and Aging Services' Training Page.
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Other Resources
- The Technology Dependent Child.
Haffner JC et al., Pediatr CLin North AM 2001 Jun;48(3):751-64.
- Home Care for Chronic Respiratory Failure in Children: 15 Years Experience.
Appierto L et al. , Paediatr Anaesth 2002 May;(4):345-50
- Assessment of Quality of Life for Home Ventilated Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Raphael JC et al. , Rev Neurol 2002 Apr;158 (4):453-60
- Home Mechanical Ventilation of Pediatric Patients.
American Review of Respiratory Disease, Vol 141, # 1, Jan 1990,pp.258-59
- Vent Users Support Page.
New Horizons Newsletter; www.makoz.org
- Home Health Care.
Montauk, S.L., American Family Physician Nov 1998; www.aafp.org
