| Q.
Why was HOMELINK
Canada
established? |
|
A.
HOMELINK Canada was created to make case
managers' jobs easier by matching patient needs
with providers throughout the country. Case
managers can make one phone call, deal with one
entity and receive ONE consolidated bill for
services they request. HOMELINK Canada Patient
Care Coordinators are available from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Central Time so a live person answers your
inquiries. |
| Q.
Who is in the HOMELINK
Canada
Provider Network? |
|
A.
Members of VGM, OPGC and independent nursing
agencies can voluntarily participate in the
HOMELINK Canada Provider Network. |
| Q.
How does the referral process work? |
|
A.
The process works like this:
- A case manager
calls HOMELINK Canada
- HOMELINK Canada
calls a provider to arrange for
equipment/services
- The provider
sets up the equipment/services
- The provider
bills HOMELINK Canada for the order
- HOMELINK Canada
bills the third-party payer for the
equipment/services
- The third-party
payer pays HOMELINK Canada, which in turn,
pays the provider
|
| Q.
How are providers selected? |
|
A.
If a case manager or family member prefer a
particular provider, the HOMELINK Canada Patient
Care Coordinator will call that company first.
If the patient
needs a specific type of equipment or service, the
Member best qualified is called early in the
process.
The provider who
can meet all the patient's needs, based on the
services listed in the HOMELINK Canada mapping
program, will be offered a referral first.
The provider
located closest to the patient is then called.
Referrals are
rotated based on the total dollars referred to
providers in that area.
Last, but certainly
not least, results of the HOMELINK Canada Quality
Assurance Program are used to determine the
provider called by the PCC. |
| Q.
How do I accept a HOMELINK
Canada
referral? |
|
A.
When a provider agrees to take a HOMELINK Canada
referral, he/she is given all of the patient
information and the delivery time frame. HOMELINK
Canada does not call other providers and
"bid" the referral. In other words, once
you accept it, the patient is yours. When a
provider accepts a HOMELINK Canada patient, he/she
will receive a fax confirming the referral terms.
This confirmation fax must be signed and returned
to the PCC who called your office. |
| Q.
How does a provider get paid? |
|
A.
HOMELINK Canada is responsible for patient
follow-up, obtaining any necessary documentation,
confirming the benefits (if applicable) and using
the appropriate billing form. Your bill may be
sent to HOMELINK Canada on a hand-written delivery
ticket. As long as it is legible, and the
equipment and services delivered correspond to the
order called in to you, it can be billed to the
ordering company. |
| Q.
What's the catch? |
|
A.
There isn't one. Our network is made up of
dues-paying members who participate in group
purchasing and other programs through our parent
company, Van G. Miller & Associates, known as
The VGM Group. HOMELINK Canada is one of the
value-added services provided to our members. The
purchasing power of The VGM Group allows us to
pass equipment and service savings on to our
clients and provide free referral service to case
managers. |
