A home health agency may accept a patient for treatment only if there is a reasonable expectation that the patient's needs will be met adequately by the home health agency in the patient's place of residence. A home health agency may not accept a patient for treatment if that patient's place of residence is a hospital or nursing facility. The agency must consider the following factors before accepting a patient for home health services:

1. (1) adequacy and suitability of staff and resources of the agency to provide needed services;
2. (2) assessments of medical, nursing, and social needs of the patient as they relate to the benefits derived from home health care;
3. (3) attitudes of the patient and family members;
4. (4) degree of patient and family awareness of their rights and responsibilities;
5. (5) management of medical emergencies;
6. (6) availability, ability, and willingness of others to participate in the care of the patient; and
7. (7) assurance that services can be effectively coordinated through liaison with organizations and individuals also providing care to the patient.

(Eff. 9/6/96, Register 139)

Authority: AS 18.05.040