Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need Hospice?
Hospice Care can begin when curative treatment is no longer expected to be effective and when the patient has a diagnosis of an "end-stage" or terminal disease. This means the attending physician has determined, with the patient/family, that nothing more is planned to cure the patient's disease. An order from your physician to start hospice is required prior to starting hospice care.
Does Hospice Services bill on a fee-for service basis?
Hospice Services bills per day (per diem). Medicare hospice reimbursement was established in 1983 on a managed care basis...the charges are the same regardless of the services provided. Hospice Core Services include the interdisciplinary team: nurses, social worker, chaplain, and volunteers. The charges are based on the average cost of the provision of care. Hospice Services also has a level of care Core Plus which includes other coverage related to the terminal diagnosis.
Does Medicare Hospice reimbursement cover the costs of Hospice Services?
When the reimbursement mechanism was established, experts projected a hospice must provide care to more than 200 patients per year to survive with the per diem reimbursement. Because we provide care for such a small population spread across a large geographic area, our actual costs are NOT COVERED by Medicare reimbursement.
If a person is not covered by any heath insurance, will hospice still provide care?
The first thing hospice will do is assist in finding out whether the patient is eligible for any coverage they may not be aware of. Hospice Services has also established a sliding fee scale for those with limited resources. Care is provided for those who cannot pay, using money raised from the community or from memorial or foundation gifts.
Do families receive a bill?
Families who are responsible for a co-payment or deductible amount will be notified. Families not covered by any health insurance will receive a statement of the value of the services provided.