In the “Medicare & You” guidebook, hospice advantages are detailed under Medicare Part A. A physician prescribing hospice is required to verify that the individual is believed to have a life expectancy of six months or fewer. A person utilizing hospice elects to receive palliative (comfort-focused) care rather than curative treatments for their condition and must complete a document confirming their choice of hospice services over other treatments covered by Medicare. Should the individual with terminal illness continue to require hospice, it can be reapproved biannually by either a medical director of hospice or a hospice physician. This end-of-life care is financed through traditional Medicare.
Hospice encompasses all medical services related to terminal disease, and either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan will handle costs for health issues not connected to the terminal illness (note that co-payments are applicable). Hospice care sanctioned by Medicare is typically provided at home or in a facility such as a skilled nursing or a residential care home.
While under hospice care:
– You incur no expenses for hospice services (Medicare covers the costs)
– You are responsible for a copayment not exceeding $5 for outpatient medications prescribed for pain and symptoms control.
– You incur no fees for Medicare-sanctioned inpatient respite care. This includes up to a 5-day residency in a Medicare-approved establishment to afford the primary caregiver some time to rest.
