The word “hospice” can be a frightening thing to hear. Most people believe when hospice is recommended, it means the end of life for a person. While this can be true in a lot of cases, it is not true in all. Hospice care can be a good option for someone with an illness/condition that cannot be cured but can be managed with medication, nursing care, and medical supplies provided by hospice and their staff for as long as needed.
Medicare Part A will cover hospice care if the patient meets all requirements. It will be necessary for the patient to be diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, neurological disorder, kidney or liver disease, stroke, an infectious disease or failure to thrive. The doctor with a hospice company will certify that the patient has a condition that is considered to be terminal, and that the patient accepts that the hospice care will be for comfort care and not medical care to try to cure the condition.
Hospice care can be received at home, at an inpatient hospice facility, nursing home, or an assisted living facility. Fees for a nursing home or the assisted living facility are not covered by hospice benefit, those fees will be the patient’s responsibility if they do not qualify for Medicaid. There may also be financial assistance provided to cover the fee if they qualify for VA benefits for veterans and their spouses.
Hospice will provide items that the patient may need such as medications related to their hospice diagnosis (medications for other conditions will be billed to the Part D drug plan), pain management, therapy, incontinence care, nutritional supplements, and durable medical equipment – hospital bed, wheelchair, bedside commode, oxygen equipment, etc. This is just an example of items that are available.
There may be a time when it is necessary for the patient to be hospitalized. When this happens, the patient will be removed from hospice supervision and Medicare/Medicare Advantage will be billed for the services received. Hospice care can be resumed once the patient is released.
This is just a brief description of the benefits that are available with hospice care. It can be a very helpful service when it is needed and the staff with all of the hospice providers are always happy to answer questions or offer advice. Just know that hospice care does not always equal imminent death, but hospice does equal care to help a patient and their families live comfortably with a terminal diagnosis.
