What’s the difference between companion care and personal care services?

(Level I vs. Level II). Quite simply, the biggest difference between the two levels of service is hands on vs. hands off. Companion Care provides housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, but no hands-on care. Personal Care provides all the duties of Companion Care PLUS hands-on duties of dressing, bathing, grooming, assistance with ambulation, toileting, etc.

Do you accept CNA’s to work as a PCA?

No. For our PCA position, we require either a PCA or HHA certificate. CNA certifications are specific to working in a facility. We can easily check the Home Care Registry to verify if you are unsure.

Do you accept medical insurance to pay for services?

We do not directly bill any medical insurances. We work with several Managed Long Term Care Providers (MLTC’s) which act as an intermediary between the patient and our agency, but we do not directly bill Medicare, Medicaid, or other medical insurance companies. If the patient holds a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy, we can check to see if we are in their network and either bill them directly, or the patient can submit for reimbursement. Embrace Care is happy to submit any necessary documentation to facilitate this.

I need services immediately; what is the turnaround time?

Starting Companion Care services can usually be initiated within 2-3 days of the initial call. Starting Personal Care Services requires a bit more work before beginning and can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks depending on aide availability and responsiveness from the patient’s doctor’s office.

Does your agency offer a PCA Training Program?

We do not. Our aides have previously received a PCA or HHA certification and our agency tests for competency prior to patient contact.