Health & Home Services history

In 1909, the first home health insurance policy was offered by Metropolitan Life, and within the next 15 years, more than 1 million home health nursing visits were covered under the provisions of insurance policies, indicating the high demand for home health services.

In 1972, Public Law 92-603 contained several nursing home reform laws that provided reimbursement of services to nursing homes.

These regulatory changes, especially those under the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1980 (OBRA), fueled the expanded use of home health care services.

Hospice care for the terminally ill, also delivered in the home, was included in Medicare for the first time in 1982.

In 1985, a nursing home regulation reported initial legislation that further overhauled American nursing homes’ federal laws, standardizing care and funding.

Department of Developmental Services www.dds.ca.gov/general/appeals-complaints-comments/ (916) 654-1987

The National Association for Home Care (1996) offers the following checklist of questions to ask when determining which home care provider to use.

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 drastically slashed Medicare home benefits, and as a result, the number of patient visits were reduced and 3000 home care agencies shut down.