The Cost of Entering Hospice Care, Don't Let the Expense Deter You

[SeaBreeze]

Some information about the costs for those who may need hospice care. More here.

In 2016, more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries died while receiving hospice care, according to data compiled by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. "Few people know that hospice is not just for the patient, but for the family," says Edo Banach, president and CEO of NHPCO, a nonprofit representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals.

In addition to medical care for pain relief and symptom management, therapy and other services associated with end-of-life care, hospice programs provide counseling, spiritual care and bereavement support for patients and family members alike.

"It's a tremendous value," says Chris Orestis, executive vice president of Minneapolis-based GWG Life, a firm that helps people sell their life insurance policies.

Given the level of care and support offered, you may think hospice is expensive and out of reach financially. But depending on your health insurance, you may have virtually no out-of-pocket costs.

Still, not all services are covered, and patients and their families will be responsible for the cost of a nursing home or assisted living facility if a person needs ongoing custodial care. Read on to learn more about the costs and benefits of hospice care and decide whether it's the right option for you or a loved one.

There are myriad Medicare benefits for hospice patients. Most hospice patients are older and receive their health insurance through the government's Medicare program. For those who are certified as terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than six months, the program covers hospice services entirely.

"It's designed to not have any out-of-pocket costs," says Patrick Simasko, attorney and wealth preservation strategist at legal firm Simasko Law in Mount Clemens, Michigan. However, to get this coverage, patients have to agree to forgo curative treatment. In other words, the only care provided by hospice is for comfort; it's not intended to cure an illness or prolong life.

The Medicare hospice benefit covers virtually all services needed to manage a terminal illness and related conditions. A team of workers including doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors and physical therapists may be assigned to a patient. Plus, on-call care is available 24 hours a day, and short-term respite care is also a covered benefit.

For all this, the only additional costs are the Part A and Part B premiums, totaling $134 a month for most people in 2018 (or higher, depending on your income), along with a $5 copayment for prescriptions used for pain or symptom management. There is also a 5 percent coinsurance requirement for short-term respite services, which Banach says equals less than $10 per day in most situations.

However, these benefits are only available for services related to the terminal illness. Medications and services related to other conditions would be subject to the normal deductible, copayment and coinsurance requirements of a person's plan.

 

[Buckeye]

Hmm. When my late wife opted for the end of treatments for her cancers, the local Hospice facility quoted $500 to $600 per day, and I think a 15 day minimum charge.

Edited to add - she was on Medicare at the time, but the facility didn't have any open rooms.

 

[Lara]

My mother's hospice care was taken care of totally by Medicare A & B because, like the article says, her life expectancy was less than 6 months. The hospice care was excellent.

 

[Aunt Bea]

In my area hospice care runs from $0.00 - $8,000.00/month depending on the person's ability to pay and the availability of a bed.

They also have programs that work with the person who wants to remain in their home but the price can become very, very, expensive if the person requires round the clock care.

 

[Butterfly]

Here, if you are on Medicare, Medicare takes care of most (or all) the cost of hospice, whether in the hospice facility or at home.

 

[debbie in seattle]

Just went through this. All was covered for my husband, Hospice, bath aides, meds, supplies, you name it. Granted, he was at home.