Hospice Care
When a Medicare-eligible patient receives services from a
Medicare-approved hospice agency, Medicare will pay for the
services and supplies directly related to the patient's hospice
diagnosis.
The following services, which are directly related to the
patient's hospice diagnosis, are covered:
- Doctor care
- Nursing care
- Drugs for pain relief and those related to the terminal
illness
- Counseling services for the patient and family members
- 13-month bereavement counseling for family members
The following medical supplies, which are directly related to
the patient's hospice diagnosis, are covered::
- Hospital beds and routine mattress changes
- Walkers, canes and crutches
- Respiratory equipment
- Patient lifts
- Shower/bath chairs
- Bedside commodes
- Catheters, syringes, dressings and latex gloves
- Incontinence supplies
Under Medicare law, no person will be refused hospice care due
to inability to pay. AseraCare Hospice, a
Medicare-approved hospice agency, has financial specialists on
staff to answer your questions about receiving financial
assistance. Funds may be available from donations, gifts, grants or
other community sources to help cover the cost of care.
For additional information on Medicare's hospice care coverage,
please read this 2-page
excerpt from Medicare's 148-page booklet, "Medicare
& You 2013."
Long Term Care
Medicare doesn't generally pay for long term care, or for help
with activities of daily living including eating, bathing,
dressing, and using the bathroom.
However, all states provide long term care services for
individuals who are Medicaid eligible and qualify for institutional
care. Please check the Medicaid section below for more detailed
information.
Other Agency Programs
The following government programs also provide coverage for the
types of healthcare services listed above. However, Medicaid and
the VA have different eligibility requirements that we've outlined
below.
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Medicare Part C, D and Medigap
Medicare Advantage or "Medicare Part C"
Medicare Advantage, sometimes called Medicare Part C, is another
healthcare coverage choice you have as part of Medicare. These
plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare, and
provide all of your Part A and B coverage except for hospice care.
However, original Medicare will provide hospice care even if you
are in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
For additional information on Medicare Advantage, please read
this 11-page
excerpt from Medicare's 140-page booklet, "Medicare
& You 2013."
Medicare Part D - Medicare's Prescription Drug Coverage
To get Medicare's prescription drug coverage, you must join a
plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved
by Medicare. Each plan varies in cost and the drugs covered.
For additional information on Medicare Plan D coverage, please
read this 14-page
excerpt from Medicare's 140-page booklet, "Medicare
& You 2013."
Medigap - Medicare's Supplemental Coverage
Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies. They
help pay for some of the healthcare costs ("gaps") that Original
Medicare doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and
deductibles.
For additional information on Medigap plans, please read this
4-page
excerpt from Medicare's 140-page booklet, "Medicare
& You 2013."
Medicaid
Medicaid is a program for eligible individuals and families with
low incomes and resources that is operated jointly by the federal
and individual state governments.
All states provide Long Term Care services for individuals who
are Medicaid eligible and qualify for institutional care. For
additional information on Medicaid's eligibility requirements and
its long term care coverage, visit
Healthcare.gov.
Eligibility requirements vary from state to state. To find out
more about Medicaid in your state call the toll free number for
your state. A list of toll free numbers can
be accessed from this page at Medicaid's
website.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Healthcare benefits like home health and long term care are only
offered to certain veterans or to veterans under special
situations.
- Covers long-term care services for veterans, if the individual
is at least 70-percent disabled due to a service-related injury or
illness. A physician's authorization is necessary.
- Covers home health care services for veterans, if the
individual is at least 50-percent disabled due to a service-related
injury or illness. A physician's authorization is
necessary.
For more information, visit the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.website.
Managed Care
If you have private insurance through your work or individually,
you will need to check with your employer's benefits manager, or
your insurance provider directly to find out what is covered under
your policy. Plans vary widely on the healthcare services they
cover.