Home Health & Wound Care FAQs

Home health wound care is professional medical treatment provided in your home by licensed nurses and therapists. You may qualify if you have a wound that requires skilled nursing care, are homebound or have difficulty traveling, and have a physician's order. Most patients with surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, or chronic wounds qualify for our services.

Starting is simple. Contact us by phone or through our website, and we'll verify your insurance and obtain a referral from your physician. Once approved, a nurse will visit your home within 24-48 hours to assess your wound and create a personalized care plan. We handle all the paperwork and coordination with your doctor.

We provide home wound care services throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Westlake, Downtown LA, and surrounding communities. If you're unsure whether we serve your area, please call us and we'll confirm coverage for your location.

Yes, Medicare covers medically necessary wound care supplies when provided as part of home health services. This includes dressings, bandages, gauze, tape, cleansing solutions, and specialized wound products. We provide all supplies needed during visits and can arrange for additional supplies to be delivered to your home.

During your first visit, a registered nurse will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your wound, medical history, and home environment. They'll measure and photograph the wound, assess for infection, develop a treatment plan, and teach you and your caregivers about wound care between visits. The initial visit typically takes 45-60 minutes.

Visit frequency depends on your wound type and severity. Most patients receive visits 2-3 times per week initially. As your wound heals, visits may decrease to once weekly. Complex wounds like diabetic ulcers or surgical wounds may require daily visits. Your nurse will adjust the schedule based on your healing progress.

Absolutely! We encourage family members and caregivers to participate in visits. Our nurses will teach proper wound care techniques, dressing changes, and signs of infection to watch for. Having a trained caregiver helps ensure proper wound care between professional visits and can speed up the healing process.

We treat all types of wounds including surgical incisions, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers (bedsores), venous and arterial ulcers, traumatic wounds, burns, skin tears, and infected wounds. Our nurses are specially trained in advanced wound care techniques and work with your physician to ensure optimal healing outcomes.

Yes, Medicare Part A and Part B cover home health wound care when you meet eligibility requirements. You must be homebound, need skilled nursing care, and have a doctor's order. Medicare covers 100% of approved home health services with no copay or deductible. We verify your Medicare coverage before starting services.

Homebound means leaving home requires considerable effort due to your medical condition. You can still qualify if you leave home for medical appointments, religious services, or occasional non-medical trips. Using a wheelchair, walker, or needing assistance to leave home typically qualifies you as homebound for Medicare purposes.

We accept Dual Eligible patients who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program). Dual Eligible coverage provides comprehensive home health benefits with no out-of-pocket costs. Please note that we do not accept standalone Medi-Cal without Medicare. If you're unsure about your eligibility, contact us and we'll verify your coverage.

We work exclusively with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Dual Eligible patients who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal. We do not accept Medicare Advantage plans, private insurance, or standalone Medi-Cal. If you're unsure which type of Medicare you have, call us and we'll help you verify your coverage in minutes.

Medicare and most insurance plans cover medically necessary wound care supplies when provided as part of home health services. This includes dressings, bandages, gauze, tape, cleansing solutions, and specialized wound products. We provide all supplies needed during visits and can arrange for additional supplies to be delivered to your home.

For Original Medicare patients, there is typically no out-of-pocket cost for covered home health services — no copay and no deductible. Dual Eligible patients (Medicare + Medi-Cal) also have no out-of-pocket costs. We verify your Medicare coverage before starting services so there are no surprises.

Medicare covers home health wound care as long as you continue to meet eligibility requirements and show medical necessity. There's no time limit on Medicare home health coverage. Your doctor recertifies your need every 60 days. As your wound heals and you no longer need skilled care, services will be discontinued.

Our services are currently available to patients with Original Medicare or Dual Eligible coverage (Medicare + Medi-Cal). If you believe you may qualify for Medicare but aren't currently enrolled, our team can help point you in the right direction to explore your eligibility. Call us and we'll do our best to help you find a path to getting the care you need.

Healing time varies based on wound type, size, and your overall health. Surgical wounds typically heal in 2-4 weeks. Diabetic ulcers may take 6-12 weeks or longer. Pressure ulcers healing depends on the stage—early stages heal faster than advanced wounds. Our nurses monitor progress weekly and adjust treatment to optimize healing.

Our nurses provide comprehensive wound care including wound assessment and measurement, wound cleansing and debridement, application of advanced dressings, negative pressure wound therapy (wound VAC), compression therapy, infection management, and patient education. We use evidence-based protocols and the latest wound care technologies.

Signs of wound infection include increased redness spreading from the wound, warmth around the wound, increased pain or tenderness, swelling, yellow or green drainage, foul odor, and fever. If you notice any of these signs, contact us immediately. Our nurses can assess the wound and coordinate with your doctor for antibiotic treatment if needed.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also called wound VAC, uses controlled suction to promote healing. A special dressing is placed over the wound and connected to a pump that removes excess fluid and brings blood flow to the area. This advanced treatment accelerates healing for complex wounds and can be managed at home by our trained nurses.

To promote healing, keep the wound clean and dry, follow dressing change instructions, eat a protein-rich diet, stay hydrated, avoid smoking, manage blood sugar if diabetic, and keep weight off pressure wounds. Elevate the affected limb when possible and attend all scheduled nurse visits. Report any changes or concerns promptly.

If your wound reopens, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to control bleeding and cover with a sterile bandage. Contact our 24/7 nurse line immediately. For severe bleeding, increased pain, signs of infection, or if the wound looks significantly worse, seek emergency care. Don't wait for your next scheduled visit if you're concerned.

Yes, diabetic foot ulcer treatment is one of our specialties. Our nurses provide specialized care including wound debridement, offloading techniques, advanced moisture-balancing dressings, and infection monitoring. We also educate patients on daily foot care, proper footwear, and blood sugar management to prevent recurrence and complications.

Yes, we successfully treat all stages of pressure ulcers at home. Treatment includes specialized wound dressings, positioning and turning schedules, pressure-relieving surfaces, nutritional support, and caregiver education. Early-stage pressure ulcers often heal completely with proper home care. Advanced stages require intensive treatment and may take longer to heal.

Beyond wound care, our skilled nurses provide medication management, IV therapy and antibiotic administration, injection services, vital signs monitoring, diabetes management, catheter care, ostomy care, and patient and caregiver education. We coordinate all services with your physician to ensure comprehensive home health care.

Yes, our licensed physical therapists provide in-home services including post-surgery rehabilitation, mobility restoration, balance and gait training, strength exercises, and fall prevention programs. Physical therapy helps wound care patients regain function, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of complications from immobility.

Occupational therapy helps you perform daily activities safely while your wound heals. Our therapists provide ADL (activities of daily living) training, home safety evaluations, adaptive equipment recommendations, and caregiver education. They ensure your home environment supports healing and helps prevent falls or injuries that could worsen your condition.

Yes, our skilled nurses can administer IV antibiotics at home for wound infections. This allows you to receive hospital-level treatment in the comfort of your home. We manage IV access, administer medications on schedule, monitor for side effects, and communicate with your physician about your progress. This service can help you avoid hospital stays.

Yes, our nurses can draw blood at home for lab work ordered by your physician. This is especially helpful for monitoring infection markers, blood sugar levels, medication levels, and other tests related to your wound healing progress. Results are sent directly to your doctor, eliminating the need to travel to a lab.

We maintain close communication with your physician throughout your care. Our nurses send regular progress reports with wound measurements and photos, alert doctors to any concerns, and obtain orders for treatment changes as needed. We also coordinate with specialists like podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and wound care centers when appropriate.

All our wound care nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with specialized training in wound assessment and treatment. Many hold certifications such as Wound Care Certified (WCC) or Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN). Our team receives ongoing education in the latest wound care techniques, products, and evidence-based practices.

Yes, post-hospital care is one of our primary services. We can begin visits within 24 hours of discharge to continue wound care, manage medications, monitor for complications, and ensure a safe transition home. Early home health intervention reduces hospital readmissions and helps you recover faster in familiar surroundings.

We schedule home visits seven days a week, typically between 8 AM and 6 PM. We work around your schedule and preferences whenever possible. For urgent wound care needs, we offer extended hours and weekend availability. Our nurse line is available 24/7 for questions and concerns between scheduled visits.

Yes, we try to maintain consistency by assigning the same nurse to your care whenever possible. Continuity helps build trust and allows your nurse to track healing progress accurately. If you have a preference or concern about your assigned nurse, please let us know and we'll accommodate your request when scheduling allows.

We understand schedules change. Please call us as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment—ideally 24 hours in advance. We'll find an alternative time that works for you. However, try to avoid frequent rescheduling as consistent wound care is important for optimal healing. Missed visits can delay your recovery.

Yes, we ensure you have all necessary supplies for wound care between visits. Our nurses leave appropriate dressings, bandages, and cleansing supplies at each visit. If you run low or need additional supplies, call us and we'll arrange delivery or drop-off. Never let lack of supplies prevent proper wound care.

You can reach us 24/7 by calling our main number. During business hours, our office staff can answer questions and connect you with your care team. After hours, our on-call nurse can provide guidance for urgent concerns. For true emergencies, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Yes, caregiver education is an essential part of our service. Our nurses teach family members and caregivers how to properly change dressings, recognize signs of infection, position patients to prevent pressure wounds, and maintain good hygiene practices. Empowering caregivers leads to better outcomes between professional visits.

Our diverse team includes nurses who speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, and other languages common in the Los Angeles area. Let us know your language preference when scheduling, and we'll match you with a nurse who can communicate effectively with you and your family. Clear communication is essential for quality care.

We welcome your feedback to improve our services. You can share comments with your nurse directly, call our office, or email us. We also conduct satisfaction surveys periodically. If you have concerns about your care, please contact our patient services coordinator immediately. Your satisfaction and successful healing are our top priorities.