The three primary services you will find in the United States
are as follows:
1.
Hospice Care is defined as a type of care and a
philosophy that focuses on the alleviating a terminally ill patient's symptoms.
Modern approaches include palliative care for the incurably ill provided by institutions
such as hospitals or nursing homes but care can also be provided in the home
for those who prefer that option.
Hospice is the only Medicare
benefit that includes pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, twenty-four
hour/seven day a week access to care and support for loved ones following a
death. Hospice care is also covered by Medicaid and most private insurance
plans.
2.
Palliative care
is an area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the
suffering of patients. Unlike hospice care, palliative medicine is appropriate
for patients in all disease stages, including those undergoing treatment for
curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases, as well as patients
who are nearing the end of life.
Medicare does not use the term
palliative, so coverage is provided by standard Medicare Part B benefits. The
palliative care provider (the organization offering you the services) will bill
Medicare for services provided. This is
also the case with Medicaid, so be sure you understand what co-pays or fees, if
any, you will be asked to pay. Ask about your responsibility for fees and
request a fee schedule before agreeing to receive services.
3.
Respite care provides planned short-term and
time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid care givers of children with
a developmental delay and adults with an intellectual disability in order to
support and maintain the primary care giving relationship.
SSI: Patients with disability
coverage may be eligible for home health care benefits. Check your local Social
Security office to verify eligibility.
Medicaid: Medicaid does not fund
respite directly, but some states use waivers to apply federal funds to offset
respite costs for residents with specific conditions and disabilities. Consult
your state’s Administration on Aging website.
