Financial Concerns

When someone is very ill or frail, money often becomes very important. There are the expected day-to-day costs, such as medications and home help, and unexpected costs such as hospitalization.

There are financial experts who work at most hospitals. They can help you understand billing and what is covered by Medicaid, Medicare or your private insurance. If you have no coverage for these services, you need to ask, how/where/to whom can I turn to get coverage?

Questions to Ask
What kind(s) of insurance do I have?
What are the benefits/limits of my coverage(s) for the following types of services:

Some persons with serious illnesses are eligible for Hospice care. Eligible persons:

Are eligible for Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A); AND
Are likely to live six months or less, according to their doctor and the Hospice medical director, if the disease runs its expected course; AND
Sign a statement choosing Hospice care instead of standard Medicare benefits for the illness.

For more information on Medicare approved hospice programs in your area contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 your state hospice organization, or call the National Hospice Organization Hospice Help line. (800) 658-8898.

Once in Hospice persons receive:

Physicians' services.
Nursing care (intermittent with 24 hour on call).
Medical appliances and supplies related to the illness.
Outpatient drugs for symptom management and pain relief.
Short-term acute inpatient care, including respite care.
Home health aide and homemaker services.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language pathology services.
Counseling, including dietary and spiritual counseling.

Care Management

Many public and private organizations now offer home services, home treatment, special equipment, home phone management, and much more. Before you sign up, however, it is very important that you consider:

Questions to ask:

Who will be in charge an coordinate my care each day, at nights and weekends?
Do I need a referral?
Do I need approval for tests and hospital care?
Who will pay for the services.

A Bottom Line

If you are having difficulties paying for necessities such as food, housing and clothing, you may need to check on income assistance programs. Usually a social service helper will be available at the hospital you last visited to answer your questions.

Some questions to ask:

How can I support myself and/or my family?
Where else can I turn? what is local to me?
How do I get information to apply?
Who can help me?

Contacting Social Security may also be useful. Call 800-772-1213 (national toll free number).

We have tried to make the How's Your Health error-free. However, those involved in its preparation can not warrant that all of the information is accurate and complete. When you use How's Your Health as a guide for your health and medical care, be sure to discuss any questions about it with your doctor, nurse, or other health care worker.

CHAPTER 5:
FINANCIAL CONCERNS;
A FRUSTRATING JIGSAW PUZZLE

Insurance

Hospice Care

Care Management

A Bottom Line

CHAPTER 5:FINANCIAL CONCERNS; A FRUSTRATING JIGSAW PUZZLE

Insurance

Hospice Care

Care Management

A Bottom Line

CHAPTER 5:
FINANCIAL CONCERNS;
A FRUSTRATING JIGSAW PUZZLE