When you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and hospice care is needed, it’s natural to worry about the costs associated with this kind of care. You’ll likely have questions like “Who pays for hospice care?” and “What is included?”
Luckily, hospice patients have quite a few options for covering these costs. This blog will explore who pays for hospice care and what’s covered.
Hospice Care Providers
Whether you or a loved one has private medical insurance or government-funded medical insurance, hospice care costs are covered.
Medicare
This health insurance program for people aged 65 and up provides hospice care coverage under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. As an inclusive benefit, Medicare will pay up to 100% for hospice services related to a terminal illness, whether the patient is in a medical facility or in their home.
Medicaid
Most patients who are on Medicaid are covered for hospice care. To be eligible for this type of medical insurance, you need to either be:
- Low-income individual/family
- Senior individual
- Have a disability
Medicaid offers hospice care at different levels, including standard care at home, respite care, and inpatient care.
Private Insurance
Most private insurance will include hospice coverage benefits, including home care. However, there may be limits or special requirements that need to be met, so it’s a good idea to review your policy thoroughly.
Tricare
This program, run by the Defense Health Agency, provides hospice care coverage for military service members, retirees, and eligible families. Tricare also covers short-term inpatient care.
Charity
For patients and families who are unable to cover the costs of necessary hospice care, there are numerous charity programs which seek to help cover out of pocket costs.
Organizations like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the American Cancer Society are known to offer financial aid for struggling families.
What is Covered by Hospice?
While this may differ slightly between hospice care providers, generally things like nursing care and personal care (bathing and grooming) is covered by the hospice program or benefit. Other services covered include
- Medication to help reduce symptoms but not in a curative capacity.
- Medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds can be provided
- Medical supplies such as oral swabs, gloves, wipes, diapers/pull ups, under pads, and protein/meal replacement drinks
- Bereavement counseling
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Short-term respite care
- Wound care
- Podiatry
- Social worker visits
- Spiritual counselor visits
- Volunteer support
What’s Not Covered by Hospice?
Depending on what medical program you’re on, there may be some limits to what is paid. These excluded services might include:
- Curative treatments
- Certain specialized medical equipment (contact our team for further information)
- Medical transportation to and from appointments
- Caregivers
Choose The Best Hospice Provider in Orange County
Choose a hospice provider that understands the complex emotions during this time. Choose Orange Hospice to care for you or a loved one. At Orange Hospice, we provide physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and bereavement care to support the patient and their family.
Contact us today at (741) 790-0594 to learn more about us and how we can provide the best tender care for your loved one.
