Freedom of Choice

According to federal law, a patient has the right to choose the institution, agency, or individual to provide their home health care. When home health care is recommended, the patient should ask for their preferred provider.

Section 1802 of the Social Security Act "seeks to ensure that free choice is guaranteed to all Medicare Patients." The law states: "Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this title [i.e., Medicare] may obtain health services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to participate under this title if such institution, agency, or person undertakes to provide him such services." This statement gives patients freedom to choose whom they want as their provider of post-hospital services.