At The Denver Hospice, we understand that dealing with finances along with an illness can be overwhelming. We want to make information about paying for hospice care as easy to understand as possible.
The following displays different methods to pay for hospice care:
Medicare Medicare provides a hospice benefit that covers the full cost of hospice care. The care covered includes a hospice team to help take care of a patient and provide them with medications and medical equipment to manage symptoms related to their diagnosis.
Medicare covers the following hospice services when related to a hospice diagnosis and pays nearly all of their costs:
• Nursing care and Certified Nursing Assistant services
• Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or walkers
• Medical supplies, such as bandages and catheters
• Medications to manage and control symptoms and relieve pain
• Physical and occupational assessments
• Social worker services
• Chaplain services
• Nutritional counseling
• Grief and loss counseling for patients and families
If you elect the Medicare Hospice Benefit, you do not give up all other Medicare benefits. In order to elect the Medicare Hospice Benefit, you must be enrolled in Medicare, Part A. However, you may still use all appropriate Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, if enrolled, for the treatment of health problems not related to your hospice diagnosis. When standard benefits are used for conditions not related to hospice, you are responsible for Medicare’s deductible and coinsurance amounts.
Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Medicare HMOs, such as Kaiser Permanente and Secure Horizons, also cover hospice care. You do not have to relinquish other HMOservices to receive hospice care.
Colorado Medicaid
Colorado Medicaid has a hospice benefit for patients who qualify for regular Medicaid benefits. Colorado Medicaid pays for the same hospice services as Medicare. In addition, room and board in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility is paid through Medicaid. It is not available through Medicare.
Private Insurance
In most cases, private insurance plans provide a hospice benefit. Deductibles, co-pays, and limits of coverage are set by your policy. The Denver Hospice Admissions Department will verify eligibility for hospice care and any limits that may apply.
Self-Pay
Self-pay rates and payment arrangements are available through our administrative offices. A Patient Benefit Advisor will discuss your situation and work with you.
Inability to Pay
As an independent, community-based, not-for-profit healthcare provider, we offer hospice services in our home care program if you don’t have the resources to pay or are not eligible for insurance. We are committed to providing care to those who are in need.
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