IHSS HOURS FOR PARAMEDICAL SERVICES
In California IHSS, parents can receive hours for paramedical services and administering medications to their child, but it requires proper documentation and approval.
Understanding Paramedical Services
Paramedical services are specific tasks ordered by a doctor that require special training and are essential for maintaining your child’s health. Examples include administering medications (especially if timed or closely monitored), tube feeding, catheter care, oxygen therapy, injections, and suctioning.
Approval Requirements
To get approval, a Doctor’s Order Form (SOC 321) must be accurately completed and signed by your child’s physician. This form must clearly specify the exact tasks you perform, how often each task is done, the precise time each task takes, and the medical necessity. These tasks must be specialized, typically performed by a nurse, but taught to the parent. Hours are calculated based on minutes, frequency per day, and days per week.
Maximizing Your Hours
To ensure you receive appropriate hours, encourage the doctor to slightly overestimate time to account for setup, cleanup, and potential delays. Include all medication administration tasks, especially if they require supervision or hands-on involvement beyond just handing a pill. Always document exact medication times (including night doses), extra steps like crushing pills or mixing, and flushing feeding tubes. If multiple medications are given at different times, each administration can count separately.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Be aware of common issues that can lead to reduced hours. If the doctor uses vague descriptions like “as needed” or “once daily,” IHSS may cut hours. Not listing every medication-related task can significantly lower your approved time. IHSS might also try to bundle tasks together unless they are clearly specified as separate in the doctor’s form.
Protective Supervision & Paramedical Services
You can receive hours for both Protective Supervision (for constant safety monitoring) and Paramedical Services (for medical procedures and medication administration). These hours are combined to contribute to your total monthly hours.