Paying for Hospice

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Who pays for hospice care and services?

They can be covered in many ways including through Medicare, Medicaid, managed care providers and some private insurers. We will care for you regardless of your ability to pay.

Medicare Hospice Benefit

Medicare patients are eligible for hospice in the last six months of their lives.

What services are covered by the Medicare hospice benefit?

When you qualify for hospice care under the Medicare hospice benefit, a care team will be designated to help you and your family cope with your illness. A wide variety of services are covered by the Medicare hospice benefit. Most costs are paid for under the benefit. You may expect to receive the following when included in your care plan:

• Nursing care
• Medications and medical equipment and supplies related to your hospice diagnosis
• Short-term inpatient care when necessary
• Home health aides and homemaker services
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Social work, counseling and spiritual care
• Dietary counseling
• Hospice volunteers
• Grief and loss counseling for you and your family

How do you claim the Medicare hospice benefit?

Your hospice benefit is provided under Part A (hospital insurance). To receive hospice care in connection with your Medicare benefits:

• Your physician and your hospice’s medical director certify that you have a serious, life-limiting illness and have six months or less to live if your illness runs its normal course
• You sign a statement indicating that you choose to have hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered benefits to treat your terminal illness
• Your care is provided by a Medicare-approved hospice program, such as The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast
• Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that are not related to your hospice diagnosis

What do you pay under the Medicare hospice benefit?

Medicare pays the hospice provider for your hospice care. You may be asked to pay the following:

• No more than $5 for each prescription drug and other similar products for pain relief and symptom control.
• 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care. For example, if Medicare pays $100 per day for inpatient respite care, you may pay $5 per day.

Medicaid Hospice Benefit

Medicaid, the joint federal-state program that covers care for many poor children and families, also includes a hospice benefit. It includes the majority of services provided by the Medicare hospice benefit in addition to a few other services unique to the Medicaid program.

Medicare Advantage Plan

All Medicare-covered services you get while in hospice care are covered under the Original Medicare Plan, even if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare Health Plan. However, your plan will continue to cover you for any extra services not covered by the Original Medicare Plan (like dental and vision benefits). If you choose to stay in your Medicare Advantage Plan while getting hospice care, you must continue to pay your plan’s monthly premium.

Community Support

Being “of the community”, Suncoast Hospice receives generous financial support from the community; therefore, is able to care for the people of Pinellas County regardless of their ability to pay.

If you have questions about payment or eligibility, call Suncoast Hospice at 727-586-4432.