FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Compassionate end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and families

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Find quick answers to common questions about ALC’s complete continuum of in-home healthcare services

Introduction – We’re Here to Help

Navigating healthcare options can be confusing—especially when you’re dealing with a health challenge or caring for a loved one. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most often about our services.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us at 630-333-9885 or contact us here. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you find the right care solution.

General Questions

ALC offers something remarkably rare: a complete continuum of integrated care under one roof. Instead of coordinating between multiple agencies for primary care, home health, wound care, palliative care, hospice, and private duty services, you have one trusted partner for your entire care journey. This means better communication, seamless transitions as needs change, and consistent quality across all services.

ALC Health Care Services proudly serves patients and healthcare partners across these Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kankakee, Kendall, Grundy, DeKalb, Boone, and LaSalle.

Can’t find your location? Contact us at 630-333-9885—we may be able to help.

It depends on the service:

  • Primary Care & Staffing: Typically within 24-48 hours
  • Home Health & Wound Care: Within 2-3 days after physician orders
  • Palliative Care: Within a few days of assessment
  • Hospice Care: Often within 24 hours, available 24/7 for urgent situations

We understand that healthcare needs can be urgent. We work quickly to get you the care you need.

Families & Patients (Home Care/Home Health)

This confuses a lot of people! Home care (sometimes called non-medical or personal care) focuses on everyday help with things like bathing, dressing, meal prep, companionship, light housekeeping, and transportation. It’s all about supporting independence and quality of life at home. Home health care, on the other hand, involves skilled medical services, such as nursing, physical therapy, wound care, or medication management, ordered by a doctor, often for recovery after surgery or managing a chronic condition. At ALC, we specialize in compassionate home care, and we can coordinate with home health providers when medical needs arise. Think of us as friendly, reliable support for daily living.

Coverage varies based on individual eligibility and the specific services needed. Medicare typically covers skilled home health care (nursing, therapy, and certain medical interventions) for homebound patients who meet criteria, often with no copayment for approved services. ALC is a CHAP-accredited Medicare provider for Home Health and Hospice. Non-medical home care and private duty services are generally not covered by Medicare but may be supported through long-term care insurance, VA benefits, private pay, or Illinois Medicaid programs (such as the Persons who are Elderly waiver, Community Care Program, or Supportive Services Program) for qualifying individuals. Our team is here to help explore options, verify eligibility, and create a plan that brings peace of mind and the care your loved one deserves.

Your safety, trust, and peace of mind are our highest priorities. Every member of the ALC team, whether providing companionship, personal care, skilled nursing, or advanced wound treatment, undergoes rigorous screening: comprehensive background checks (including criminal history, abuse/neglect registries, and sex offender databases), thorough reference verifications, license and certification confirmation, in-depth interviews, and drug screenings where applicable. We maintain ongoing monitoring and match professionals carefully to each patient’s unique needs, personality, and care requirements, ensuring compassionate, reliable support every step of the way.

We know relationships matter, especially in home care. We work hard to assign caregivers who match your preferences, personality, or schedule. Our goal is a positive, comfortable experience for everyone. If you have specific needs or concerns with a caregiver, please contact us.

We offer flexible scheduling, including 24/7 live-in or shift-based care for those who need round-the-clock support. There’s no strict minimum for many of our services; we can start with just a few hours a week and scale up as needs change. We’ll create a plan tailored to you.

We ensure continuity of care through our integrated team and deep pool of vetted professionals. In the event your regular caregiver is unavailable, we quickly arrange a qualified backup, often the same day, while communicating openly with you every step. Our coordinated approach minimizes disruption, so you and your loved one always feel supported with consistent compassion and quality.

We prioritize prompt, responsive care. Following your initial consultation and assessment, services often begin within 24–48 hours, depending on the level of care and availability. For urgent needs, such as post-hospitalization support or advanced wound care, we expedite placement to ensure timely intervention in the comfort and safety of home.

ALC Health Care Services proudly serves communities throughout the Chicagoland area and surrounding counties, including Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kankakee, Kendall, Grundy, DeKalb, Boone, and LaSalle. Wherever you call home in our service region, we bring the full continuum of compassionate, skilled care directly to you, one trusted partner for your entire journey.

Healthcare Professionals (Employment & Staffing)

We welcome dedicated professionals who share our commitment to compassionate excellence. It’s very easy to apply. Visit our website to submit an online application at https://www.alchealthcareservices.com/careers/. We’ll review your resume, chat about your experience, and move forward with interviews and onboarding. We love welcoming passionate caregivers!

We value our team! Full-time caregivers often enjoy competitive pay, health insurance options, paid time off, and generous additional benefits. Part-time folks get flexible schedules, competitive hourly rates, and access to many of the same professional development opportunities.

Yes, we invest in our people. New hires receive orientation, hands-on training, and opportunities for certifications like CPR, First Aid, dementia care, or specialized skills. We support continuing education to help you grow.

We use a scheduling system that lets you pick shifts that fit your life, per diem, temporary, or ongoing. We communicate openings quickly and confirm preferences to keep things balanced.

ALC’s culture has resulted in a long-tenured staff that’s unique to the home care industry. Supportive, respectful, and team-oriented. We foster a family-like atmosphere where people matter and employees are valued for providing quality of care, not quantity of care. Open communication, recognition for great work, and a genuine concern for the well-being of each staff member make coming to work feel rewarding.

Healthcare Facilities (B2B Staffing)

Yes, fully. All placed staff are covered under our comprehensive insurance (liability, workers’ comp, etc.) and bonded for added protection. You get peace of mind knowing everything’s in place.

A broad range: hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities across northern Illinois. Our Transportation service line partners with the communities listed above, as well as physician practices, dialysis centers, clinics, and physical therapy centers. We’re ready to help.

Rigorous screening: license verifications, skills assessments, reference checks, and ongoing competency reviews. We match professionals to your requirements and provide orientation support when needed.

Specialized Care (Niche SEO)

Yes, ALC we provide compassionate, person-centered care tailored for dementia and Alzheimer’s. All ALC staff are Dementia-care certified by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. r caregivers are trained in techniques to reduce agitation, promote safety, and support daily routines with patience and understanding.

Yes, directly through ALC’s integrated services. Our ALC Advanced Wound Care delivers state-of-the-art, specialized treatment for complex, non-healing wounds in the home, using the latest techniques and a holistic approach that addresses the entire patient for optimal healing and comfort. We also provide in-home primary care house calls, comprehensive checkups, chronic disease management, preventive care, and medication oversight from skilled physicians and nurse practitioners, eliminating travel barriers and bringing expert care where it’s needed most.

Insurance & Payment Questions

Yes. Medicare Part A and Part B cover home health services when you meet these criteria:

  • You’re homebound (leaving home requires considerable effort)
  • Your doctor orders home health care
  • You need skilled nursing, physical therapy, or speech therapy
  • You receive care from a Medicare-certified agency (ALC is CHAP-accredited and Medicare-certified)

There’s typically no copayment if you meet eligibility requirements.

Yes. Medicare Part A covers hospice care when:

  • Your doctor and hospice medical director certify you have a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less
  • You elect the Medicare hospice benefit
  • You receive care from a Medicare-approved hospice (ALC is CHAP-accredited)

Medicare covers nearly all hospice services including medications, medical equipment, nursing care, and support services. There’s typically no cost to patients for hospice services related to the terminal diagnosis.

Usually not. Private duty caregiving services are typically private pay and not covered by Medicare or most insurance plans. However:

  • Long-term care insurance may cover these services
  • Veterans benefits (Aid & Attendance) may help
  • Medicaid waiver programs in some states provide coverage

We provide transparent pricing and work with you to create an affordable care plan. We can also provide documentation for reimbursement if you have coverage.

Costs vary by service type:

  • Home Health, Hospice, Palliative Care: Usually covered by Medicare,
  • Medicaid, or private insurance with little to no out-of-pocket cost
  • Primary Care: Covered by Medicare and most insurance plans
  • Wound Care: Covered by Medicare and most insurance plans
  • Private Duty Staffing: Private pay; rates vary based on level of care and schedule

We verify insurance benefits before services begin and discuss any costs with you upfront.

Understanding Different Services

Great question, this confuses many people!

Home Health Care provides skilled medical services ordered by a doctor:

  • Nursing care (wound care, medication management, IV therapy)
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Medical social work
  • Usually covered by Medicare/insurance

Home Care/Staffing provides non-medical personal care:

  • Help with bathing, dressing, meals
  • Companionship and household tasks
  • Medication reminders (not administration)
  • Usually private pay

Many families use both services together for comprehensive support.

Another common question with an important distinction:

Palliative Care:

  • For serious illness at any stage
  • Can be provided alongside curative treatment
  • No requirement for 6-month prognosis
  • Focus on improving quality of life while fighting disease
  • Can continue for months or years

Hospice Care:

  • For terminal illness (6 months or less prognosis)
  • Curative treatment is discontinued
  • Focus shifts entirely to comfort and quality of life
  • Typically provided in final weeks/months

Many patients benefit from palliative care first, then transition to hospice when appropriate.

ALC Primary Care brings comprehensive medical care to you, eliminating transportation barriers and providing care where you’re most comfortable. Sometimes referred to as home-based medical care or house calls. We bring proactive care right to you!

Key differences:

  • Location: We come to your home instead of you traveling to an office
  • Time: Longer visits (typically 30-45 minutes vs. 15 minutes in office)
  • Insight: Seeing you in your environment gives us valuable information about your daily life, safety, and needs
  • Convenience: No waiting rooms, parking hassles, or exposure to illness
  • Coordination: Seamless integration with our other services (home health, hospice, etc.)

Coordination with Existing Providers

Yes, absolutely. While our physicians and nurse practitioners can serve as your primary care provider, you can also keep your existing doctor. Our providers can work collaboratively with your current physician, providing:

  • Additional support for complex medical needs
  • House calls when you can’t get to the office
  • Coordination between hospitalizations
  • Management of specific conditions

We believe in care coordination, not replacement. We’ll work with whomever you choose.

Yes. Communication and coordination are core to our approach. We:

  • Obtain physician orders before starting home health services
  • Send regular updates to your doctors about your condition and progress
  • Coordinate medication changes and treatment plans
  • Call your physician immediately if there are urgent concerns Collaborate at care conferences when needed

You’ll never have to worry about your left hand not knowing what your right hand is doing.

Equipment & Practical Questions

Through ALC Home Health or Primary Care, we can help coordinate medical equipment. Here’s how:

  1. Assessment: We evaluate what equipment would help you safely at home
  2. Physician Order: We work with your doctor to get necessary orders
  3. DME Coordination: We connect you with Durable Medical Equipment suppliers
  4. Insurance: We help verify coverage (Medicare Part B often covers equipment)
  5. Delivery & Setup: Equipment is delivered and set up in your home
  6. Training: We show you and your family how to use it safely

Common equipment we help coordinate: walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, commodes, shower chairs, oxygen equipment, and more.

We’re available 24/7 for urgent needs.

  • Home Health: 24/7 on-call nurse available for urgent questions
  • Hospice: 24/7 nurse availability—someone always answers when you call Palliative Care: 24/7 support for symptom management
  • Primary Care: After-hours nurse line for urgent concerns
  • Staffing: Can arrange overnight or weekend caregivers as needed

Healthcare needs don’t follow business hours—and neither do we.

Getting Started

It’s easy—just three steps:

  1. Contact Us
    Call 630-333-9885 or complete our online form. We’ll discuss your needs and answer questions.
  2. Assessment & Coordination
    We coordinate with your physician (if needed) and conduct an in-home assessment to understand your specific situation.
  3. Care Begins
    We create a personalized care plan and begin services—often within 24-48 hours for most services.

It depends on the service:
Require physician orders:

  • Home Health Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Hospice Care

Don’t require orders (but we coordinate with doctors):

  • Primary Care (our doctors can provide their own orders)
  • Advanced Wound Care (our providers coordinate with your physician)
  • Private Duty Staffing

We handle the coordination. If orders are needed, we work with your physician’s office to obtain them—you don’t need to do anything.

For Healthcare Partners

ALC is designed to be an extension of your care team. When you partner with us:

  • Single Point of Contact: One relationship gives you access to all six service lines (primary care, home health, wound care, palliative, hospice, staffing)
  • Responsive Communication: We return calls promptly and provide regular updates on resident status
  • Reduced Hospitalizations: Our proactive care helps keep residents out of the ER and hospital
  • Enhanced Satisfaction: Quality care improves resident and family satisfaction—reflecting positively on your community
  • Education & Support: We provide training for your staff on relevant topics

We understand that every referral reflects on you. We take that responsibility seriously.

Very quickly. We understand that timely response is crucial for your residents and your operations:

  • Initial contact: Within 2-4 hours during business hours
  • Urgent/hospice referrals: Often same-day response
  • Admissions: Typically within 24-48 hours once orders are obtained
  • Follow-up: Regular status updates so you’re never left wondering

We assign a dedicated liaison to partner facilities to ensure seamless communication.

Still Have Questions?

We’re Here to Help

These FAQs cover the most common questions, but every situation is unique. If you need more information or want to discuss your specific needs:

Call us: 630-333-9885
Email: info@alchealthcareservices.com