Frequently Asked Questions
12. Who pays for hospice services?
Hospice care coverage is widely available. Beacon Hospice is a state licensed and Medicare certified agency. For those eligible for Medicare Part A benefits, all hospice care costs are covered. Many private insurance carriers pay 80% to 100% of hospice charges up to a pre-determined limit. To be sure of private insurance coverage, families should, of course, check with their employer or health insurance provider. In some cases, the patient may elect to pay for services directly.
13. If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
Medicare covers all services and supplies related to the terminal illness or condition for the hospice patient. Although Medicare does allow the hospice provider to collect a 5% co-pay on medications, preferred hospice providers do not ask for this payment. Beacon Hospice NEVER asks for any payment of any kind from its Medicare patients.
If you are using your Medicare Hospice Benefit, it is important to understand that the hospice agency only uses that portion of your Medicare Part A benefit (hospitalization) related to the medical diagnosis or condition that qualified you to receive hospice care. The remaining portion of your Medicare Part A benefit and all of your Part B benefit (physician visits) continue to be available for your use. You will still be able to consult with your physician on any issue that does not involve the diagnosis or condition that made you eligible to receive hospice care. Your physician also will be able to continue billing Medicare for the non-hospice related services he provides to you.
