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Does Medicare + AARP additional insurance pay for the cost of a hospice?

My father is 95 and in failing health, to the point where he needs round-the-clock care.or or supervision; Most people in his health condition would be in a nursing home by now, but my family has been paying for private home health care several hours a day, and one of us (adult) children has always arranged to stay with him in his home for the evenings and overnight. However, his health care needs are getting more difficult for us family members to meet. However, he does not have a 'terminal' illness per se (like cancer). However again, he does not require skilled nursing care at this time, and there's been a standing 'no rescuscitation' order for several years now. Would Medicare cover the cost of in-patient hospice care for someone like my father? Dear www.buyb, Thank you for your heartfelt words. Out of concern for you, however, I need to tell you that Medicare Isn't Always There for people, like your parents and my father. Out of fairness to Medicare, let me say that Medicare is stretched to the breaking point--and it is also true that Medicare never promised to 'be there' to meet all of elderly Americans' health care demands. Is 'eldercare' really a national government's responsibility, especially when the costs will be borne by the next generation? That's ethical question all Americans must ponder. What I've learned recently is that my father, once he is no longer able to support his own weight, will qualify for hospice care in his own home--ie., a nurse to monitor him, etc.-- but that this will not qualify him for 'room and board' in a hospice facility. Also, Medicare will limit payment for his home 'hospice' services to 6 months. Good luck to you and your aging loved ones.

Public Comments

1. without the terminal illness, he does not qualify for hospice. that benefit is specifically for end of life care.
2. Call Medicare and inquire, but I believe they have a 30 day only that they pay and say for instance he is in hospice/nursing home for 90 days, you could be on the hook for the balance and the costs could be unbelievable. You are blessed for having a father live to age 95 and still going. My mother passed away 20 years ago and my father 10 years ago. My mother passed in the hospital, whereas my father was given 6 weeks to live and was forced to go home to die or to a hospice/nursing home. The rule was that unless they knew they would not live 7 days, they had to discharge the patient. Between myself, 2 siblings, 4 nieces, we all took turns taking care of my father who lived only 9 days after being discharged. By day 8, we realized we had taken on more than we can do and needed to get professional help 24 hours a day which would have cost us $1,400 per week which we calculated. Call Medicare and pose questions and have pen/paper ready with their answers. Believe me this is probably a common question they get. Also talk to social workers at a hospital and they may have suggestions of places to take him in case it gets too much for your family to handle. It is best to do now, since at this point it is not an emergency, but if it does, you want to be prepared. good luck and hope he makes it to age 100.
3. Hi, I feel for you.My Parents are going through it.Medicare should take care of him.I believe that they should help People who can't afford the Hospitals or real sick need the help.These days Insurance and Health Companies are all messed up.So I will have your Dad and the Family in my Prayers.God Bless you all. From Juan www.ezfreshwater.com