Hospice care is a type of health care patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives. This type of care focuses on pain management and emotional, spiritual, and familial support for patients nearing the end of their lives.
There are several options for receiving hospice care, including being cared for at home. The type of intimate care a patient receives while in hospice is more conducive to being received at the patient’s home. This becomes a team effort and helps to have a peaceful environment when receiving care.
Who Can Benefit From This Type of Care?
Patients with serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, dementia, kidney failure, or other fatal conditions benefit from hospice care. This type of care can help the patient live a more comfortable life while decreasing the emotional burden of grief for families by preparing them for the loss of their loved one.
When Is Hospice Recommended?
Hospice care should not only be considered by those who have loved ones nearing the end of their lives. While most of these services are generally reserved for people with six months or less to live, early hospice care can also benefit patients and their families.
You may wish to consider such services in the following cases:
- The patient has a serious decline in their physical well-being
- After a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- You have decided to forgo any treatment to improve your physical treatment or care for your illness
Who Makes Up a Hospice Care Team?
Your hospice team can consist of many different types of people. Various professionals and volunteers may be involved in end-of-life care. Some of those you may see on your care team can include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Spiritual advisors
- Trained volunteers
Who Pays for Hospice Home Care?
These services can quickly become very expensive like any other health care option. Fortunately, there are several ways to cover the cost, including:
Government Programs
If you qualify for government assistance, there may be insurance plans specifically designed to cover the cost of hospice care.
Seniors enrolled in Medicare Part A may qualify for a Medicare hospice care benefit. This benefit program allocates money to pay for such care at home.
For terminally ill patients on Medicaid, hospice care may be covered depending on the state.
The Department of Veterans Affairs may also provide coverage for these care benefits for seniors who have served our country.
Private Insurance
Check the terms of your insurance policy to determine if your health insurance covers hospice care. Your policy may cover all or part of your hospice care needs.
Options for Uninsured Patients
Even if you do not have health insurance, you may still have coverage options. Some charitable organizations work with elderly and disabled individuals who need help paying for hospice care services. Hospice care organizations also often have internal departments that work with patients who qualify for this type of care but are indigent or do not have health insurance.
Is In-Home Hospice Right For You?
Making this choice is an important part of your end-of-life care plan. Be sure to gather as much information as you can before deciding whether this type o care is best for you. For example, you may want to consult Medicare’s hospice compare website or CaringInfo.org’s website for other hospice locator tools.
If you have questions about Medicare or Medicaid, contact us to learn more.
This article is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship between the reader and Brennan & Rogers, PLLC, or its attorneys is intended. This article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. Laws may vary from state to state, and the educational materials found in this article may not apply in all jurisdictions. Brennan & Rogers, PLLC | 279 York Street, York, ME 03909 | 207-361-4680 | admin@brennanrogers.com
