The Quality of Life Campaign:
Read more about our new, state-of-the-art Hospice Care and Community Center on our existing lakeside property.
How is Hospice Paid For?
Hospice of the Western Reserve is a Medicare/Medicaid certified hospice program, offering a comprehensive hospice benefit. Hospice care services are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, most commercial insurances and privately by the patient/family and most of our patients are Medicare/Medicaid eligible.
Once a diagnosis is given and a patient is determined eligible for hospice care, the hospice benefit can be elected. The hospice benefit pays for all medical care, medications and appropriate treatments that will provide comfort and alleviate symptoms and which are related to the diagnosis. Hospice cares for people wherever they live. Because of that, hospice care is provided in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities as well as in private homes.
We know that health care payment can be complicated, the following is a guide to help you understand Medicare/Medicaid coverage. (If using commercial insurance, please check with the company.)
Hospice care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, Part A, B and C.
How is Hospice paid for?
- Physician services
- Durable medical equipment (such as beds or walkers)
- Medical supplies
- Medications for symptom control or pain relief
- Nutritional/dietary counseling
- Hospice aide
- Social worker services
- Short-term inpatient care (for pain and symptom management)
- Short-term respite care (may need to pay a small copayment)
- Extended or continuous care
- Grief and loss counseling for the family
Supplies, equipment and even medications can typically be delivered to the patient's residence. Medicare supplements may help pay for aspects of care not fully covered by Medicare.
- Your Medicare co-pay
- Commercial Insurance co-pays and deductibles
- Nursing home room and board (if applicable)
- Transportation costs between facilities
- Prescription co-pays--(If on Medicare/Medicaid, your loved one will pay no more than $5 for each prescription drug and other equivalent products for pain relief and symptom control.)
- Respite care room and board fees (if not a Medicare patient)
- 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care--(For example, if Medicare pays $100 per day for inpatient respite care, your loved one will pay $5 per day. He or she can stay in a Medicare-approved hospital or nursing home up to 5 days each time he/she gets respite care.)
- Treatments or medical supplies outside of the hospice plan of care
- Patients and/or patient families may be responsible for some costs associated with hospice care.
Contact the Financial Resource Advocate, contact 216.383.2222 , ext. 2290.to make sure you understand what your responsibilities are regarding payment.
Unlike other medical treatments with fluctuating costs which vary in cost according to location or hospital system, Medicare reimbursement for hospice care is fixed at a daily rate, regardless of the complexity of care.
- There are four levels of care.
- Routine home care
- General inpatient care
- Respite care
- Continuous care
For additional information about Medicare and Medicaid and the hospice benefit, please visit Medicare/Medicaid or the Hospice Action Network.
Our Care Promise
There may be circumstances where Hospice of the Western Reserve patients and families need financial assistance. Circumstances such as:
- You do not have medical insurance.
- Your medical insurance does not cover hospice or palliative care services.
- Your medical insurance has limited coverage.
- You completed a Medicaid application and are waiting for approval and/or you do not qualify.
As part of Our Care Promise, a Financial Resource Advocate is available to conduct a financial assessment and help answer questions regarding your options. For an appointment call: 216.383.2222, ext. 2290. You and/or your loved ones will be asked to provide documentation of financial need.
We urge patients and families to consider the future by establishing a Power of Attorney (POA). Different and separate from a Health Care Power of Attorney, this individual (advocate) would be able to step in to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of the patient should he or she be unable to speak for themselves. POA can be assigned to anyone and reassigned at any time and is an important part of your family's financial plan, regardless of your age or health. POA documents are available free of charge at (CMBA | Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) or, contact our Volunteer Team if you wish to speak with one of our volunteer attorneys at no cost to you.
Help Us Help Others
To cover unreimbursed services and continue serving patients regardless of ability to pay, Hospice of the Western Reserve greatly relies on memorial gifts, private donations community support and grants. We sincerely appreciate all gifts and pledge to use donated funds in service to our patients and our communities. If you wish to help those who will receive care in the future, please visit our online donation page to make a gift.
We Can Help
Speak with the referral team by contacting us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We will do our best to schedule a visit on the same day it is needed.
Donate to The Hospice of the Western Reserve
At the heart of our mission we aim to enhance the quality of life for every individual in our care and those who grieve. We could not do this important work without the support of generous individuals like you.
Join The Hospice of the Western Reserve Team
Each of our team members makes a profound impact in our mission of providing exceptional care and support to patients and their loved ones. Turn your calling into your career!