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Covering the Costs of Hospice Care
Most insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, VA and private insurances have a hospice benefit. The hospice social worker and insurance specialist coordinate efforts with your insurance company to file reimbursement claims for those who have coverage. Reimbursement to hospice is usually 80 percent of the costs of prescription drugs and other medications, medical supplies and equipment, and other services provided to patients. Every patient receives the same level of high-quality service, regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay. No one is refused or denied hospice care.
Medicare Hospice Benefit
The Medicare Hospice Benefit is designed to meet the unique needs of people who have advanced, life-limiting illness, providing them and their families with special support and services not otherwise covered by Medicare. Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, beneficiaries elect to receive palliative rather than curative treatment and services for their illness. They choose to waive standard Medicare Benefits for treatment of the terminal illness.
Click here for more information about the Medicare Hospice Benefit
Medicaid Hospice Benefit
The Maryland Medicaid Program works primarily the same as the Federal Medicare Program, with regard to covered services and medical eligibility. The added stipulation for being eligible for Medicaid is financial need. Our social worker is available to conduct a preliminary assessment on hospice patients to help determine possible eligibility into the Medicaid program. For additional information regarding Medicaid, contact:
Division of Nursing Services
Maryland Medicaid Hospice Program
201 W. Preston Street, Room 211
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(410)767-1448/1-877-4MD-DHMH ext 1448
e-mail: Carolinab@dhmh.state.md.us
Other Insurance Hospice Benefit
Most commercial insurance companies have some level of home hospice benefit. This benefit may vary greatly from the Medicare benefit, in the types of services covered, the length of the benefit and may possibly include some co-pays. When you call Hospice of Charles County to inquire about our services, if appropriate, the nurse will ask about your insurance coverage. We will then call the insurance company to ascertain your available benefits. Or you can contact your insurance company to find out more about your hospice benefit.
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