RCW 70.126.020 Home health care—Services and supplies included, not included.

(1) Home health care shall be provided by a home health agency and shall:

(a) Be delivered by a registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, or home health aide on a part-time or intermittent basis;

(b) Include, as applicable under the written plan, supplies and equipment such as:

(i) Drugs and medicines that are legally obtainable only upon a physician's written prescription, and insulin;

(ii) Rental of durable medical apparatus and medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, respirators, splints, trusses, braces, or crutches needed for treatment;

(iii) Supplies normally used for hospital inpatients and dispensed by the home health agency such as oxygen, catheters, needles, syringes, dressings, materials used in aseptic techniques, irrigation solutions, and intravenous fluids.

(2) The following services may be included when medically necessary, ordered by the attending physician, and included in the approved plan of treatment:

(a) Licensed practical nurses;

(b) Respiratory therapists;

(c) Social workers holding a master's degree or further advanced degree from a social work educational program accredited and approved as provided in RCW 18.320.010;

(d) Ambulance service that is certified by the physician as necessary in the approved plan of treatment because of the patient's physical condition or for unexpected emergency situations.

(3) Services not included in home health care include:

(a) Nonmedical, custodial, or housekeeping services except by home health aides as ordered in the approved plan of treatment;

(b) "Meals on Wheels" or similar food services;

(c) Nutritional guidance;

(d) Services performed by family members;

(e) Services not included in an approved plan of treatment;

(f) Supportive environmental materials such as handrails, ramps, telephones, air conditioners, and similar appliances and devices.

[ 2011 c 89 § 12; 1984 c 22 § 5; 1983 c 249 § 6.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2011 c 89: See note following RCW 18.320.005.

Findings—2011 c 89: See RCW 18.320.005.

Effective date—1984 c 22: See note following RCW 48.21.220.

Effective date—1983 c 249: See note following RCW 70.126.001.