Home Health & Hospice
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for eligible home health services that are medically necessary. A doctor must certify that the patient is homebound and in need of skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis, physical therapy, speech language pathology, or a continuing need for occupational therapy.
Medicare Part A entitlement is necessary in order to receive coverage for hospice benefits. When a Medicare beneficiary’s physician certifies a six month life expectancy, the Medicare beneficiary can decide to waive Original Medicare coverage for their terminal illness. Pre-election counseling furnished by a medical director or other employee of a hospice agency can assist Medicare beneficiaries considering hospice who have a prognosis of a six month life expectancy. Hospice assists Medicare beneficiaries with such services as nursing care, medical supplies, drugs for symptom management and pain, inpatient and respite care, home health aide and homemaker services, therapy services, medical social services and dietary and other counseling. Medicare beneficiaries can terminate hospice coverage and return to Original Medicare by signing a revocation letter.