Home-health groups compete for foreign-language contract in Charlotte - Triangle Business Journal:

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The 2009 Medical Facilities Plan shows a need in Mecklenburvg County forone Medicare-certified home-health agency with fluency in multipl e languages, including Russian. and both filed applicationsz in mid-May to fill that role, says Angiee Matthes, project analyst for the N.C. Certificatr of Need Section. That agency reviews applications by those inthe health-care industry looking to establish or expanc services in North Carolina. The stater will choose between the applicants byOct 28. For Ivansx Belovs, director of Personal Home Care, the application marks the end ofa four-yeard journey.
He has petitioned the state severaol times to adda Medicare-certified home-healtuh agency catering to the Russian-speaking population. a native of Latvia, founded Personal Home Care here in 2003 to servde theRussian community. It currently provides a rang eof services, including personal care and skilled nursing, to the Medicaid-coveredf population. It has about 250 clients, the majorith of whom are from the formerSoviegt Union, Belovs says. “Beinv Medicare-certified opens up whole new horizons for your he says. Too often, minorities are underserved when it comezsto home-health services, he adds. “They need thesew services, but they have a limitationb withthe language.
“The problem with minorities isthey don’f know what kind of services they can Belovs says. The local Russian-speaking populatiomn totals about 15,000, according to the Charlotte International Cabinet, an organizatioj that promotes and fostersinternational relationships. Bayadq Nurses, based in Moorestown, says its application give s it an opportunity to expand its presencre inNorth Carolina. “It’zs really part of our long-term vision and values to grow and servremore people,” says David division director for the company. The home-health companhy isn’t focusing on a specific language with its proposexservices here.
Rather, it’s looking to meet the needs of all Baiada says. Bayada Nurses has 140 offices in 18 Its N.C. roster includes four home-health locations in the metrioCharlotte market. None in the local operations are Medicare-certified. That limitsz the company’s services to individuals with private insuranc eand state-based Medicaid, Baiada “I think our goal is to service all people who are in need of