Our patients can be referred by their own physician, a hospital, rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Before service can begin, the patient’s physician will write an order that prescribes home care. If you are referring yourself or a loved one, provide us with the physician’s name and phone number and our staff will be happy to request the order. Once Excel receives this order, we’ll contact the insurance company directly and determine if coverage is available and if authorization is required, notify the patient to schedule the first visit.

Homebound means that you require the help or supervision of another person, or you use a supportive device such as a cane or walker. You can leave the home as often as you need for medical treatment. You are allowed brief and infrequent absences from the home for some non-medical reasons, such as an occasional trip to the barber/beauty shop or a walk around the block.

If you meet certain eligibility requirements, Medicare may pay for your covered home health care for as long as you're eligible and your doctor certifies that you need it.

Additionally, Illinois’ state Medicaid program or private insurance also may cover home health care, or may cover some services that Medicare doesn't cover. Call us and we will assist you in checking these options.

Here are some things you may want to consider:

• How long the agency has been in the business of health care (Excell has been in the health care profession for 20 years)
• Whether the agency is licensed, insured and bonded (Excell is licensed by the State of Illinois and certified by Medicare)
• If the agency contracts with independent workers or if everyone is an employee (Most of the nursing staff is employed by Excell)
• If the agency’s home health aides are certified (All Excell home health aides have Certified Nursing Assistant licenses)
• How the company screens employees and whether it performs background checks (Excell carefully screens and does thorough background checks on all agency employees)
• If the agency provides continuing education for employees (As a nursing program subsidiary, Excell’s professional staff receives continuous training from its nursing review organization)