What is Hospice?
Hospice is a health care option for individuals with a terminal illness whose life expectancy is six months or less.
Goals of Hospice Care
- Pain and symptom management
- Enhance quality of life
- Maintain comfort and dignity
- Does not hasten or prolong life
Hospice care is holistic and consists of a team of health care professionals.
This team is also know as the interdisciplinary team or IDT. Patients and their families are the most important part of the IDT. Together, they address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family.
The Hospice Team includes:
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Hospice Aides
- Social Workers
- Spiritual Counselors
- Trained Volunteers
- Therapists (Speech, Physical, & Occupational)
- Bereavement Counselors
- Complementary therapies (massage, music, and art)
What does Hospice Cover?
The hospice benefit is an comprehensive medical benefit that provides a variety services to patients and their families. Once a patient is no longer receiving curative treatment, they can take advantage of the many services included in the hospice benefit.
For instance services include but are not limited to:
- Nursing Care (24/7 access to a nurse)
- Home health aide care (assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and light housekeeping)
- Spiritual support and counseling
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, shower chairs, and bedside commodes
- Medical Supplies such as bedpans, dressing supplies, and adult incontinence products
- Medications related to the hospice diagnosis
- Therapy to assist with training for safe transfers
Who Pays for Hospice?
The Medicare hospice benefit makes end-of-life care very affordable. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances offer coverage for hospice care.
In some cases, hospice agencies will offer charitable support for those patients that do not have health insurance or hospice coverage.
Eligibility Criteria for Medicare Hospice Benefit:
- Must have Medicare Part A
- Their personal doctor and the hospice medical director both certify that they have a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course
- They are enrolled in a Medicare-approved hospice program
Additional Eligibility Criteria:
In order for a patient to qualify for hospice, they must meet guidelines and eligibility criteria set by U.S Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
WHAT ARE THE FOUR LEVELS OF HOSPICE CARE
Routine Home Hospice, Respite Care, Continuous Care, General Inpatient Care (GIP)
