10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Health Agency in Colorado Springs

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Health Agency in Colorado Springs

Choosing a home health agency is one of the most consequential decisions a family can make. You are trusting strangers to enter your home and care for someone you love. In the Colorado Springs area, there are over 200 CDPHE-licensed agencies, and the quality varies widely.

These 10 questions will help you separate the great agencies from the merely adequate ones. Ask every one of them before signing a service agreement.

1. Are You Licensed by the Colorado CDPHE, and Can I See Your License Number?

Every home health agency in Colorado must hold an active license from the CDPHE. The license specifies whether the agency is Class A (skilled nursing) or Class B (personal care). Ask for the license number and verify it yourself through the CDPHE health facilities portal.

2. Is Your Agency Medicare-Certified?

Only agencies with Medicare certification can bill Medicare. In the Colorado Springs area, approximately 40 out of 60-plus Class A agencies hold Medicare certification. Medicare certification also means the agency undergoes regular federal surveys, and you can verify that status through Medicare Care Compare.

3. What Background Checks Do You Run on Caregivers?

Ask whether the agency runs a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) criminal background check, a national criminal database search, a sex offender registry check, and verification of professional licenses for nurses and therapists through the Colorado Board of Nursing license lookup.

4. How Do You Train and Supervise Your Caregivers?

Ask about both initial training and ongoing education. For Class A agencies, find out how often an RN conducts supervisory visits. For Class B agencies, ask what training caregivers receive before their first client visit.

5. Will We Have Consistent Caregivers?

Ask whether the agency assigns a primary caregiver to each client or rotates staff. Ask directly: What is your annual caregiver turnover rate?

6. What Happens If Our Regular Caregiver Calls Out?

Ask how much advance notice you will receive. Ask whether the agency guarantees a replacement. Ask whether backup caregivers will have access to your loved one's care plan.

7. What Is Your Complaint and Incident Resolution Process?

A quality agency will have a clear, written grievance procedure. Colorado CDPHE regulations require agencies to maintain a complaint process and inform clients of their right to file complaints with CDPHE directly.

8. What Exactly Does Your Pricing Include?

Get the full picture in writing. Ask about the hourly rate, minimum visit length, additional fees, and cancellation penalties. Compare pricing from at least 3 agencies before making a decision.

9. What Insurance Plans Do You Accept?

Ask specifically about Medicare, Medicaid, HCBS waivers, Tricare, VA benefits, and your private insurance plan by name. With the large military presence in Colorado Springs, many agencies accept Tricare and VA benefits.

10. Can You Provide References From Current Clients?

Ask for 2 to 3 references, ideally from clients with similar care needs. Online reviews can be helpful too, but state licensing records and Medicare quality data usually tell you more than star ratings alone.

Start Your Search

Use our directory to browse agencies by license class, specialty, neighborhood, and insurance accepted. Read reviews from real families, compare services, and contact agencies directly to ask these questions.