When nursing care is needed for more than can be provided in an intermittent home health visit and the patient still prefers to recover at home, a private duty nurse may be the answer. The nurse provides the skilled care necessary for recovery, and prepares nutritious meals, bathes the patient, and cleans their immediate surroundings so as to promote a healthy environment. Services include:

  • Private Duty Nursing Visits
  • Private Duty Aide
  • Private Duty Sitters*

Eligibility Requirements

Medicaid Child Waiver private duty nursing must be pre-authorized by the Missouri Department of Health Bureau for Special Healthcare Needs Healthy Children and Youth Program. Medicaid Waiver will not purchase private duty nursing for patients while in the hospital. Private Insurance eligibility requirements vary by benefit package.

Call Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri today and learn how you can receive convenient home medical care from a team with 45 years of experience.

Private Duty Nurse

RNs and LPNs provide skilled and non-skilled services for one patient over a pre-set period of time called a shift. The amount of hours provided depends on the needs of the patient, with a minimum requirement of 4 hours. Services are usually provided in the private home. Skilled Services may include administration of IVs and other medicines, treatments such as nebulizer treatments for breathing problems and ventilator care and suctioning; assessment of vital signs and body systems; dressing changes and wound assessment; gastric tube feedings; etc. Non-skilled services may include bathing and dressing; food preparation and feeding; cleaning of the patient’s room and equipment; laundry; linen changes; etc.

Eligibility Requirements

Medicaid Child Waiver private duty nursing must be pre-authorized by the Missouri Department of Health Bureau for Special Healthcare Needs Healthy Children and Youth Program. Medicaid Waiver will not purchase private duty nursing for patients while in the hospital. Private Insurance eligibility requirements vary by benefit package.

Payment Methods
Private Insurance, Medicaid Child Waiver, and Private Funds are used to purchase private duty nursing services.

Private Duty Aide

Nurses Aides provide non-skilled services for one patient over a pre-set period of time called a “shift”. The hours approved depends on the needs of the patient. Services are provided in the private home. Non-skilled services may include bathing and dressing; food preparation and feeding; cleaning the patient’s room and equipment; laundry; linen changes; etc.

Fees to Participate

Hourly costs are contracted according to the 1) specific needs of the individual; 2) the duration of service to be provided, and 3) the hours of the day, i.e. evening and night shift hours may warrant a premium.

Eligibility Requirements

Medicaid Child Waiver Private Duty Aide Service must be pre-authorized by the Missouri Department of Health Bureau for Special Healthcare Needs, Healthy Children and Youth (HCY) Program. Medicaid Waiver will not purchase Private Duty services for patients while in the hospital. Private Insurance eligibility requirements vary by benefit package and generally are used only in situations where doing so proves a cost savings to the insurance company by replacing more expensive hospital or nursing home care.

Payment Methods
Medicaid Child Waiver, some Private Insurance and Private Funds are used to purchase Private Duty Aide Services.

Private Duty Sitter

Sitters provide adult and child supervision and assistance with normal activities of daily living in the private home for a pre-determined period of time while the primary caregiver is away or asleep. Assistance includes serving a meal that has been prepared or preparing simple foods for light meals or snacks, assistance with toileting, reminders to take medications and protection from falls or self-inflicted injuries.

Fees to Participate
An hourly rate is contracted specific to the needs of the client.

Eligibility Requirements
Any adult or child requiring non-skilled assistance and supervision when alone may benefit from a private sitter’s care.
Payment Methods
Private Funds are used to purchase Private Duty Sitter Services.
Additional Notes
Private Sitter services are based on availability of a sitter.