Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if your question is not answered on this page.

What services are provided by CHC Services?

"We provide assistants and companions in the home that are trained and supervised by our licensed staff. We can provide therapy services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and others as well. We also provide Care Management services as part of every case, or as a stand alone service depending on the individual and family needs."

What sets you apart from your competition?

"Our owners, Dr. Evan Cantini, a rehabilitation physician and Dr. Alvin McLean, a neuropsychologist, are both very involved in the operations of the program and are committed to providing the highest quality service. Dr. Cantini, Peter Rigby, our administrator who is also a PT, and Lisa Farrell-Roberts, RN, MN review every referral and active client on a weekly basis. All four are all involved in the training and ongoing education of all our staff. We are also unique in that we are willing to consider any scenario from simple to complex, from therapy to care management to companion services. We strongly believe that Care Management makes a positive difference in healthcare, so there is a Care manager on every case that is either a nurse or other experienced clinician. We are data driven, meaning we strongly believe in objective information to make the best decisions possible and prove what we do. This ranges from collecting data on someone's safety to measuring customer satisfaction during and after services."

What diagnoses are served at CHC Services?

"We have experience with a full spectrum of diagnoses and age ranges. Typical diagnoses include Alzheimer's disease, dementia, arthritis, stroke, cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, other degenerative neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. We also serve individuals who have been recently discharged home from surgeries, skilled nursing or rehabilitation facilities and individuals with chronic and disabling behavioral and cognitive impairments."

Do you coordinate with my treating doctors?

"Yes. We follow their instructions and provide feedback to them on the efficacy of the treatments and medications they recommend for you."

Can you provide 24 hour service and how does that work?

"Yes we can provide 24 hour service. Depending on the extent of care needs we would provide care in 12 hour shifts or 24 hours shifts."

Do you provide hospice services?

"We provide home care and companion services for hospice clients. We are not a Medicare hospice program."

What is the geographic area of coverage for your program?

"We are licensed in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Island, Thurston and Skagit Counties."

Who provides the care in your program?

"In most cases the care is provided by Care Specialist who are registered nursing assistants and certified nursing assistants. Licensed practical nurses occasionally provide the care depending on the needs of the client. Therapists and clinicians are used as needed. A Care Manager that is a nurse or other experienced clinician is involved on every case."

Can I pick my caregiver?

"We attempt to make the best match possible with all our caregivers and clients. There are several factors that are involved including location, schedule, etc. Your input is very important and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. If there is a caregiver you prefer we will make the best attempt possible to accommodate your request. In certain circumstances it may not be possible, but we promise to work with you to make sure you have a caregiver that can meet your needs."

What are the minimum hours required per shift or per week?

"Depending on the location 3-4 hours per shift and one shift per week. Fewer hours of service and fewer numbers of shifts may increase the likelihood of multiple Care Specialists over time. Please contact us."

Can I get 2 hours in the morning and then 2 hours in the evening?

"Depending on location we may be able to do this. Please contact us."

Can they drive me to my doctor appointments?

"Yes. We ask that you complete our form that gives the Care Specialist permission to drive your car. We do an annual motor vehicle report and insurance check and know that their driving record meets our safety standards."

How do you handle the mileage expense if they drive me around?

"If the Care Specialist drives you in their car we will charge you mileage for the amount. We would include those charges in your next bill. There is no additional charge if they drive you in your car."

Will they do housework and laundry?

"Yes they can do light housework routinely. If heavy or thorough house cleaning is needed, we will provide those services or arrange for them."

When my care specialist cooks for me is it my choice to share the meal them?

"We encourage the Care Specialists to bring their own food to prepare and ask them to avoid eating the client's food."

What if I want to take the Care Specialist out to lunch on me?

"You may take your care companion to lunch as long as their part of the bill is less than $25."

Can I give the Care Specialist a gift?

"Occasional gifts less than $25 for events such as birthdays and holidays are allowed but not expected. We tell our staff not to accept gifts of larger amounts, loans, or personal work from the clients or their families."

How does my caregiver document their hours?

"Our caregivers call into an electronic telephony system at the beginning and end of their shifts. The system identifies the client's phone number and matches that with the scheduled shift."

Will my caregiver speak English clearly?

"We realize that good communication is a critical piece to having a successful companion, especially if a client has any hearing or cognitive deficits. If you encounter any problem with your caregiver whether it is language or otherwise, please let us know by talking with your care manager."

What if I don't like my caregiver?

"Satisfaction of our customers is one of our primary foundations. Your care manager is the first person to talk with and then our program administrator. We will work with you to find a solution that meets your satisfaction. Your satisfaction is critical to us and we want to know immediately if there are any concerns."

Who pays for CHC Services?

"Funding can come from private pay, long term care insurers, trust funds, legal proceeds and settlements, Washington State Labor and Industries, some government insurers, and some health insurers. The services are not paid by Medicare. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express for payment."

Is there a charge for initial assessments for caregiver services?

"The initial assessment is free."

What do your company's services generally cost?

"The charge for service varies depending on the level of service and amount of service needed. Please call us for further information. Our charges start at $27 per hour and increase depending on the complexity and amount of care."

Do I pay anything up front?

"A security deposit equal to the estimated charge for the first 3 weeks of service is due at the time the client service agreement is signed."

How often do I get billed?

"The billing cycle is every two weeks. You may receive your first bill sooner than 2 weeks depending on when the initial services are provided in the billing cycle."

Do you take Medicare or Medicaid?

"No, we do not currently take Medicare or Medicaid. If your physician has prescribed therapies that are covered by Medicare such as physical, occupational, or speech therapies, or skilled nursing, we would be pleased to identify a Medicare certified home health agency to provide the Medicare services. Then we can augment those services with our care management, care companion services, and medical oversight of the Care Plan and provide written progress updates to you, your family, and your treating physician."