The Aspen Group has taken steps to provide better customer service by enhancing its communication efforts. The Aspen Group follows special requests, physician preferences, guidelines and parameters upon receipt of referrals. An experienced home health nurse is available, upon request, to provide in-home coordination of services for patients who have complex needs or require complex procedures.

Nurses generally will provide patient evaluations within 24 hours of referrals if needed.

The Aspen Group's normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, an on-call nurse is available 24 hours a day.

Inpatient Referrals
Medicare's section 204.2B of the HIM-11 states the attending physician should write an order on the patient's hospital medical record designating the type and frequency of home health services to be provided. The physician should list the patient's home health agency of choice prior to the patient's discharge. The hospital's discharge planner, medical social worker or staff nurse will contact the chosen home health agency to initiate the home healthcare.

Outpatient Referrals
The patient has the ultimate choice in choosing a home health provider. However, if a physician determines homecare is necessary for the patient, any staff nurse in the institutional setting may forward The Aspen Group relative patient information to begin the patient's homecare admission process.

Phone/Fax/Internet Referral
After the physician has requested homecare for the patient, office staff may forward the referrals to The Aspen Group via fax, phone or Internet.

To Send a Referral:
1. Phone The Aspen Group's Admission Services; or
2. Fax the information to the corresponding office:

Aspen Home Health & Hospice

Blackfoot Home Health & Hospice

Rexburg Home Health & Hospice

Necessary Information for Referrals
Patient's full name
Address
Phone number
Date of birth
Medicare number
Diagnosis
Primary physician name
Office phone number
Care orders, including medications
Referral source