When facing a terminal illness, many concerns arise, and the cost of end-of-life care shouldn’t be one of them. Fortunately, hospice care at home in Philadelphia is affordable – in fact, most people pay little or nothing for hospice services.
Sure, having a team of skilled care providers come out to provide support at a patient’s home sounds pretty expensive. And that would be a financial burden for many families if the funds had to come out of pocket. But there are actually a number of ways to pay for in-home hospice care. If a loved one is terminally ill and you’re looking into end-of-life care, you’ll want to understand how the costs are covered. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the Cost of Hospice Care
Hospice costs differ depending on the level of care a patient needs, and that’s determined by the hospice team. In most cases, however, the following in-home care options are covered:
- Routine home care, with family caregivers handling most day-to-day concerns and regular support from members of the hospice team.
- Continuous home care, for patients coping with a medical emergency, around-the-clock support from hospice caregivers may be the solution.
- In-patient hospice care, provided at a local hospital or a dedicated facility, can help when problematic symptoms can’t be managed in the home setting.
- Respite care, which involves a temporary transfer to the in-patient level of care, allows family caregivers to take a break from their regular duties.
With regards to continuous home care and in-patient hospice care, the cost is only covered when that level of care is required – and when the crisis has been averted, the patient goes back to receiving routine home care.
Also, while all or nearly all of the costs of hospice care are covered, a respite stay may involve a small copayment. And with outpatient prescription drugs, Philadelphia patients may be responsible for a copayment of up to five dollars. For everything else, there’s no out-of-pocket cost. That includes the following:
- Physician and skilled nursing services
- Medical equipment and medical supplies
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Art, massage and other complementary therapies
- Hospice aide and homemaker services
- Counseling and assistance from social workers
- Bereavement care for everyone involved
We have to say, too, that coverage for hospice services is dependent on the patient committing to comfort care – the costs of preventive and curative treatments aren’t covered. And unless directly ordered by the hospice team, neither are ambulance rides and emergency care services.
Who Pays for Hospice Care at Home in Philadelphia?
So, we’ve told you that the cost of hospice care at home isn’t a concern for most people in Philadelphia. But who pays for hospice services? The expenses are typically covered by one of the following:
Medicare
For terminally ill individuals who have health insurance through traditional Medicare, the cost of hospice care at home is fully covered if a physician certifies a life expectancy of six months or less.
Medical Assistance
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program offers coverage that is quite similar to the Medicare hospice benefit, and for those who are dual-eligible, Medical Assistance may cover some costs that Medicare doesn’t.
Military Benefits
The Veterans Administration, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and Tricare through the Department of Defense all cover hospice costs for eligible patients.
Private Insurance
While coverage and eligibility requirements may vary, most managed care plans and private health insurance policies pay at least a portion of the costs of hospice care – and some offer full coverage, like Medicare.
Sometimes, none of the above applies. When a patient is uninsured or has limited insurance coverage, personal savings might cover the cost of hospice care. Or if they own a home, a reverse mortgage may supply the necessary funds. In any case, no one has to find their own solution, as Philadelphia hospice agencies are happy to share information on charitable organizations and other alternative sources of funding.
Finding Support at a Difficult Time
If a loved one has received a terminal diagnosis and is worried about the cost of hospice care, you can ease their mind by explaining the many options for coverage. While services can be expensive, most patients pay little to nothing – and Philadelphia hospice agencies can share resources to help families manage any out-of-pocket costs.
That said, planning ahead is always a good idea. Your loved one may not qualify for hospice care yet, but with a terminal illness, it’s only a matter of time. Finding a local hospice agency that offers exceptional care is a task you’ll want to accomplish soon, and since you landed here, we hope you’re planning to consider Suncrest Hospice of Philadelphia.
Suncrest is a Medicare-approved hospice agency, and we have friendly specialists who can fully explain the coverage provided by Medicare, Medical Assistance, military benefits and private health insurance plans. And if your loved one is uninsured, we can help you find a way to make hospice care at home affordable. For more information, or to arrange for a consultation, contact our office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, today.
