PAYING FOR HOSPICE CARE

Answers to frequently asked questions about paying for hospice care.

Determining how to pay for hospice care is one of the first things that patients and their families will research. At All Caring Hospice, hospice care and support services are available to anyone, regardless of type of insurance or financial resources available. No one who needs our services will be turned away regardless of their ability to pay.

Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance

For most hospice patients, the cost of hospice care is fully covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The Medicare hospice benefit was established in 1982 to provide those patients with terminal illnesses with care focused on managing symptoms and pain from their disease. The hospice benefit was established to ease the high financial burden which can occur during the end of life process. Oftentimes Medicare covers 100% of the costs associated with hospice care.

The Medicare Hospice Benefit provides a daily benefit allowance to the hospice organization and, in turn, they provide for the necessary treatment, care, support, therapies and counseling as part of an individual plan of care.

You will be fully informed of your coverage status prior to admission to our hospice care program. If you are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance and do not receive hospice benefits, assistance is available to patients and families served by All Caring Hospice. Each case is evaluated based on need by the All Caring Hospice Foundation Board with input from the Interdisciplinary team serving the patient and family. This evaluation will be performed in a timely manner to ensure the needs of the patient are considered. These funds are reserved for those in need of hospice care services who cannot afford hospice care on their own.

Who is eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit?

Medicare beneficiaries must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Patient must be enrolled in Medicare Part A
  • Patient must elect to receive hospice care and enroll in a Medicare-approved hospice program
  • Anyone diagnosed with limited life expectancy can receive hospice care. A physician must certify that the patient has a life-limiting illness with a probable prognosis of six months or less
  • Patient must agree in writing that they are electing the Medicare Hospice Benefit to cover the costs of services related to managing their life-limiting illness.

What is Covered?

Costs directly related to your terminal illness that are generally included in your hospice plan of care and are covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit include:

  • Physician consultations related to the patient’s terminal illness
  • Visits by hospice nurses to help manage comfort symptoms
  • Medications related to the patient’s terminal illness
  • Medical equipment needed to support the patient in their environment
  • Routine hospice care in the comfort of your own home
  • Emotional and spiritual support from social workers and chaplains
  • Medical support and homemaking services by home healthcare aides
  • General inpatient care in medical setting, as needed
  • Continuous care with round-the-clock support to stabilize a patient’s short-term medical crisis
  • Respite care to provide rest and comfort to the family of caregivers
  • Bereavement support for 13 months following the patient’s death

As a hospice Medicare and Medicaid provider, All Caring Hospice provides care to patients who do not have the ability to pay.

How can I learn more about the Medicare Hospice Benefit?

For more information about the Medicare Hospice Benefit you can call All Caring Hospice at 1-855-520-4080 directly or visit the Center for Medicare Education website by clicking here.

All Caring Hospice operates hospice care and palliative care programs in Cincinnati Ohio and the surrounding Communities in Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Warren Counties. We are one of the nation’s premier providers of end-of-life care. Click here to Request Information or call us today to learn how hospice care can help.