Hospice care is a service available for patients with a terminal illness provided in the home (where ever the patient resides). The Hospice Medicare Benefit is available under Medicare Part A, and is the single source of all health care related to the terminal illness.

Beneficiaries under the Benefit choose to receive a non-curative treatment and services for their terminal illness by waiving the standard Medicare benefits for treatment of a terminal illness. However, the beneficiary may continue to access standard Medicare benefits for treatment of conditions unrelated to the terminal illness. For more information about Medicare health plans or to receive a Medicare handbook, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

What does the Hospice Benefit Cover?

• Physician services
• Registered Nurse visits (average- 2 to 3 visits per week)
• Home Health Aide
• Trained Volunteers
• Drugs, equipment, and medical supplies (must be related to terminal illness)
• Respite Care
• Social Work
• Spiritual Care Counselors
• Bereavement counseling
• Therapists

Who is Eligible?

Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide comfort and support people who are facing a terminal illness. This type of healthcare is available to patients regardless of age, gender, religion, sexual preference, or ability to pay.

• Patients who are eligible for Part A under Medicare
• Patients who are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits
• Patients who qualify for Private insurance benefits
• Patients diagnosed with a terminal illness (prognosis of one year or less)
• Patients diagnosis is certified by a patients primary physician
• Patients diagnosis is certified by the hospice medical director
• Patient or family member must be seeking palliative, not a curative
• Hospice services patients with diseases including:
• Cancer
• Cardiac disease
• Neurological disorders
• Respiratory disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Renal disease
• Liver disease
• Alzheimer's
• Aids