Who pays for hospice services?

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Most patients rely on Medicare and/or Medicaid to cover their hospice care, while the rest turn to other financing resources. For most people this means private insurance. Most private health plans mirror Medicare in their requirements for hospice. This means a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has chosen not to receive curative treatment. Most hospice programs can sometimes accept patients who are uninsured.
Olive Branch Hospice is proud to offer care to uninsured patients on a case-by-case basis.

Medicare coverage for hospice:

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If the patient has Medicare Part A and meets hospice eligibility requirements, then Medicare will pay as much as 100% of the cost of hospice care. In this case, there is no deductible and no co-payment for the patient. Even if a hospice patient is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, hospice benefits are covered by original Medicare.

Private insurance

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Most people enroll in health insurance plans through an employer or retirement program, while others purchase plans through a private or public entity. Those who have coverage from private insurance agencies may contact their insurance company directly for specific details on hospice coverage, including what the patient’s plan will cover and any out-of-pocket costs for the patient and their family. You may call our office at any time for assistance in obtaining this information, and one of our staff members would be happy to assist you.