By Dr. David B. Stein
Medical Director, Kirva Hospice
Is Hospice Expensive?
Hospice relieves the burden of medical bills because it’s covered by Medicare and most insurance carriers. Once a patient chooses hospice care, almost all bills related to the care of the patient’s terminal illness di- agnosis are paid for by their health insurance, which includes all medications, supplies and durable medical equipment.
Medicare is the largest insurer of medical care pro- vided at the end of life, but hospice care is also covered by Medicaid, the Veterans Administration (VA) and private medical insurance.
Hospice means Death is Imminent
Hospice patients are those who have been diagnosed by a doctor as having six months or less left to live if the disease takes its normal course. Hospice, however, is not a death sentence. Hospice provides not only medical care and pain manage- ment, but also spiritual and emotional support tailored to the patients’ needs and desires.
The ultimate goal of Hospice is to increase the patients’ quality of life and support the family members and caregivers. Statistically those who opt for hospice when curative measures are no longer an option can end up living 30-40 days longer.
Patients can also outlive their projected life expectancy and continue receiving hospice care.