(By Stephen Connor, vice president for research and professional development, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Reprinted with permission from the Partnership for Caring, Inc.)
Medicare and private insurance, including new long-term care policies, cover many or most hospice services for people with terminal illnesses, including cancer and non-cancer diseases.
While you should check with your insurance provider for specifics on your coverage, here is a list of what Medicare covers. New long-term care insurance policies also may cover these caregiving expenses when Medicare doesn’t:
- Physician services for the medical direction of the patient.
- Regular home visits by registered and licensed practical nurses.
- Home health and homemaker services such as dressing and bathing.
- Social work and counseling services.
- Chaplain services for the patient and loved ones, if desired.
- Medical equipment, such as hospital beds.
- Medical supplies such as bandages and catheters.
- Drugs for symptom control and pain relief.
- Volunteer support to assist patients and loved ones.
- Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietary counseling.
