Home Health, Hospice & Palliative Care

Home Health Services

CATEGORY	HEALTH CARE
SERVICE/SUPPORT TYPE	Home Health Services
AGENCY	Medicare
COST	Ask the home health agency how much Medicare will pay and what services it will provide that aren’t covered by Medicare that you will owe
ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY	https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
WEB LINK	https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
APPLICATION	See your doctor. Per Medicare.gov, “Usually, a home health care agency coordinates the services your doctor orders for you.” https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
ADDITIONAL INFO	*Read carefully what Medicare does and does not pay for.

Home Health Services

CATEGORY	HEALTH CARE
SERVICE/SUPPORT TYPE	Home Health Services & Home and Community-Based Services, also known by other names, benefits of Medicaid program
AGENCY	Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
COST	Depends, with or without a monthly Medicaid Share of Cost
ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY	Per Senior Living, (Does Medicaid Cover Home Health Care) “Services are often listed under “Home and Community-based Services,” or “health home.” https://www.seniorliving.org/home-care/medicare-medicaid/
WEB LINK	https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/index.html
APPLICATION	Speak with your licensed medical provider about home health care needs to determine services and support available, and see your state’s Medicaid website for more information about what’s available in your state/region. https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/index.html
ADDITIONAL INFO	*Read carefully what Medicaid does and does not pay for Senior Living discusses home health care for Medicaid recipients https://www.seniorliving.org/home-care/medicare-medicaid/ *See also Home and Community-Based Services *See also Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/index.html See also Institutional Long-Term Care https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/institutional-long-term-care/index.html

Hospice

CATEGORY	HEALTH CARE
SERVICE/SUPPORT TYPE	Hospice
AGENCY	Medicare – Medicaid – VA – HMO – Other private health insurance plans
COST	See Your Costs in Original Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY	Hospice is a type of care that is used once curative treatments are declined or one voluntarily stops eating or drinking, and one has six months or less to live, as determined by a doctor. People may have hospice at home, in-patient hospice facilities, and long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities. Generally, program referrals are made by one’s licensed medical provider.
WEB LINK	https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
APPLICATION	See Hospice Care information in the Additional Info section for information about how to apply with your particular insurance
ADDITIONAL INFO	Learning about Hospice   Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Who Pays for Hospice? Hospice expenses are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, the Veterans Administration, and many private insurers.     Medicare: If one has Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and meets all of the conditions: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care   Medicaid: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/hospice/index.html   VA: https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/guide/longtermcare/Hospice_Care.asp   Locate a Hospice agency by name or location Hospice is a type of care that is used once curative treatments are declined or one voluntarily stops eating or drinking, and one has six months or less to live, as determined by a doctor. People may have hospice at home, in-patient hospice facilities, and long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities. Hospice expenses are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, the Veterans Administration, and many private insurers. ACL and AoA Hospice Care Fact Sheet Medicare Hospice Benefits Hospice Foundation of America  National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Caring Connections (A Program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization)

Palliative Care

According to Deathwithdignity.org, “palliative care refers to the treatment of the symptoms and stress of serious illness, with the dual goals of comfort and improved quality of life. It provides relief from distressing symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, nausea, insomnia, and side effects of medications. Although people often confuse the terms hospice and palliative care, in the latter you can receive curative medical treatments. People usually receive palliative care at clinics or hospitals, but home care may be possible.”

https://www.deathwithdignity.org/learn/end-of-life-resources/#polst

• Caring Connections is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, providing free resources and other information for actively learning about end-of-life care and options.
• The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Center to Advance Palliative Care provide information about comfort care and how to find a palliative doctor near you.
• The Center to Advance Palliative Care evaluates how palliative care rates in each state.
• “A Deeper Understanding of Palliative Care,” an infographic by Georgetown University

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