How Do You Become Eligible for Hospice?

It is important to understand how you become eligible for hospice care. Many Americans are surprised that there are specific terms, guides, and considerations involved with hospice care.

How to Become Eligible for Hospice Care

Our trained hospice experts will guide you every step of the way. Let us help you understand the requirements needed to become eligible for hospice care.

Remember that guidelines are not always the same for all hospice care so ask for professional guidance.

Requirements for Hospice Care Eligibility

1. Become Certified for Need by your doctor & the hospice director
2. Certified (by above paperwork) that hospice care falls within the allotted time
3. Choose a certified, recognized hospice provider (covered by your insurance provider)
4. You Agree to Hospice Care
5. Insurance / Medicare / Medicaid / Uninsured
6. The Hospice Directors

Explanation of Above Needs:

1. Certification – The patient needs to be “certified” by 2 physicians; confirming the need of hospice care. The two certifying physicians shall be their attending/primary physician along with one of the hospice medical doctors.
2. Time – As part of the above certification for need your physician will certify that you are dealing with a life limiting illness/disease. Allowing the disease to run its natural course means that the disease will lead to end of life within 6 months or less. See a quick example [1](Click the red 1 for more information regarding time allowed for hospice).
3. Choosing a Provider – This online article will help guide you through choosing an excellent hospice care provider. Keep in mind that an excellent provider will take the patient & family (& friends) from illness through grief & loss counseling.
4. Agree to Hospice Care – Either you or your Medical POA will sign paperwork stating that you agree to hospice care.
5. Insurance – All insurances have their idiosyncrasies; which makes it very helpful to work with a professional hospice company deal with the paperwork. Most insurance will cover hospice care. However, your “regular” insurance coverage will continue for non-hospice care also. See a quick example [2](Click the red 2 for an example). Those without insurance have options. For those working with Above & Beyond Hospice, our Hospice foundation helps the uninsured & under-insured.
6. Who are “Hospice Director(s)? – Providers will have one or more physicians under contract to serve as Medical Directors for that hospice. Medical directors act on behalf of the hospice provider to oversee various aspects of patient care and procedure.

Financial FAQ’s about Hospice Care

• Medicare – Hospice care is provided by under Medicare Part A, as described here.
• Insurance – This article on Paying for Hospice by the National Hospice & Palliative Care Program is quick and to the point about how you pay for hospice care. Medicare, Medicaid & most private insurances all pay for hospice under their hospice program.
• What if I have no insurance? – For those who have no insurance or are under-insured by a plan that may not provide specialized hospice care choices we have answers. Remember, there are places to turn and your hospice provider should be well qualified in knowing available to you. Many providers have experienced the needs in their community & have taken action to help. Our Hospice Foundation is one way that we choose to help make this time of life a little easier.

How We Can Help

Above and Beyond Hospice specializes in hospice care, taking our commitment Above & Beyond what others may provide. Here’s why we encourage you to choose us.

We’ve done amazing things in hospice care:

• Created a foundation to help those who need financial help.
• Experienced and well trained on the “paperwork” required.
• We know Medicare & have experience in working with them in a variety of situations.
• Our hospice team consists of extremely well trained individuals; from the medical aspect through the mental health end.
• We’ve worked with hospice patients of all ages.
• A variety of special situations reminds you that we understand individuals and their distinct needs.
• We offer bereavement support for everyone who was an important part of our hospice patient’s life.

No matter how you look at it, if you are from the Monticello area we are truly a step above what you most expect when it comes to hospice care. We will help you determine if you are eligible for hospice and guide you along the way. You are not alone.

[1] Example 1: A patient is under hospice care for cancer but may also have diabetes. Hospice care covers the cancer area of treatment & care while the patient’s regular insurance will cover continued diabetes care (insulin shots, etc.).

[2] Example 2:  Typical time for hospice care is up to 6 months. If a patient continues to decline in health by the end of the 6 months the patient can be “re-certified.” Your hospice provider will provide you with information, remain involved in paperwork, etc. should the hospice care continue to be needed due to continued decline in health.

Photo by roger4336