If your family is leaning toward a provider agency rather than self-directed family care, these are the questions that actually reveal how an agency operates.
About their MDHHS approval and coverage
- Are you an MDHHS-approved Home Help provider agency, specifically?
- Which counties and cities do you actually staff, versus just advertise?
About staffing and consistency
- Will my loved one have a consistent, regular caregiver, or a rotating pool?
- What's your backup plan if my usual caregiver is sick or unavailable?
- Can a family member be hired as your employee to provide the care?
About billing and communication
- How and how often will hours and care notes be communicated to our family?
- What happens if approved hours change after a reassessment?
A red flag worth naming directly
Any agency unwilling to clearly answer how they're compensated, or vague about their MDHHS approval status, is worth a second look before signing anything.
Want help thinking through whether agency care or self-direction fits your family better first? See our family vs. agency comparison.
