Pioneer Memorial Hospital Hospice FAQs
Does Medicare Cover Hospice?
When a Medicare-eligible patient receives services from hospice, Medicare pays for treatment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis. Many insurance companies cover hospice care.
However, there is never a charge to hospice patients or their families for the services provided by hospice. No one is turned away due to inability to pay, thanks to the contributions from families, physicians and the community we serve.
In general, Medicare coverage includes:
- Physician services
- Nursing care
- Medical equipment and supplies, as appropriate
- Drugs for symptom management and pain relief related to the terminal diagnosis
- Short-term inpatient and respite care
- Homemaker services and home health aides
- Physical and other therapies
- Counseling
- Pastoral Chaplain
Commonly Asked Questions
What Does Medicare Cover? When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made and who should make it?
At any time during a life-limiting illness it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice. By law, the decision belongs to the patients. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping an all-out effort to "beat their disease." Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family and physician.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends.
Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
Certainly! If improvement in the condition occurs and the disease seems to be in remission, the patient can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on about his or her daily life. It is not uncommon for hospice patients to respond so well to hospice care that they rally and on occasion, significantly exceed their life expectancy.