No family wants to plan for the loss of a loved one, but in many cases there comes a point where death inevitable because treatment has become ineffective. Hospice care allows a patient to pass away without pain. Nurses, doctors, mental health care specialists and clergy are available to hospice patients and their families in the final days of a patient's life.
Medicare and Hospice
Medicare Part A covers hospice treatment once a covered patient's doctor signs a certification that the patient is terminal and is likely to die within 6 months. Hospice care continues up until a patient's death even if the patient does not die within 6 months. Hospice care is renewed, with doctor certification every 2 or 3 months.
Patients can leave hospice care and return to active treatment if their condition improves. They can also return to hospice care if their condition worsens again.
Medicare will continue to cover all treatment and services that are unrelated to the terminal condition, including treatment for dental care, eye glasses, nutrition and wound care.
Where Hospice Care Is Provided
Hospice care is provided in the comfort of a patient's home as a rule. Caregivers come to the home and bring all the furniture and medication required to provide good quality of care to the patient. Services, such as mental health care and counseling, are also offered to the patient's family.
Hospice care, once approved by a doctor, must be arranged through an approved Medicare hospice program in order to be covered.
Respite Care
Medicare also provides respite care for families with terminal patients. This allows for a patient to be moved for a few days into a Medicare-approved hospital or nursing home facility. Once there, patients will receive around the clock care allowing a family caregiver to have several days off at a time.
Patient Costs
Medicare covers all hospice care costs. Payment is made directly care to the hospice program. You will pay no more than $5 for any prescription drug, and no more than 5 percent of any Medicare approved care in a respite facility. Even if you are in a Medicare HMO or PPO program, all hospice care is covered under Original Medicare.
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