In order to be eligible for hospice care under the Medicare/Medicaid benefit, the patient must meet the following Medicare Hospice guidelines:

 

• The patient should have a life expectancy of six months or less
• The patient and family are receptive to palliative care, which means that aggressive treatment is no longer being pursued
• A designated caregiver is preferred for home hospice
• The patient has to be referred to hospice by their physician
• The patient and his/her illness are appropriate for hospice

 

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The Medicare/Medicaid Benefit Covers:

 

• Nursing services on an intermittent basis
• Physician services
• Drugs that are ordered for symptom management
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy that is for comfort measures only
• Home health Aides services on an intermittent basis
• Medical supplies and appliances
• Short-term inpatient care for emergency situations
• Spiritual and other counseling
• Continuous care at home for short term crisis intervention
• Bereavement services