| Our not-for-profit organization has helped thousands of patients and their families. Since 1984 Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care has made its services available to all terminally ill persons and their families without regard to age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, cost of therapy, ability to pay, or life circumstances. We do not impose any value or belief system on our patients or their families and respect the values and belief systems of our patients and their families.
Medicare, Medicaid and many other health insurance plans cover all or part of the cost of Hospice services.
The Cornerstone Hospice staff will work with the patient, the family or loved ones, insurance providers and other resources, to assure that the patient receives all the benefits available.
Hospice Medicare
Who is eligible for Hospice Care under Medicare?
What benefits are covered under Hospice Medicare?
Hospice Medicare covers approved treatments and services related to the hospice diagnosis. Primary Care physicians continue to be paid through Medicare Part B. Treatments and services not related to the terminal diagnosis continue to be reimbursed by standard Medicare Part A. If the treatment is not related to the terminal disease, the patient is responsible for the Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts. Hospice will be responsible for differentiating between related and unrelated services. Medicare Part A will not pay for services that are related to the diagnosis and are determined by the Hospice to be aggressive or curative.
Patients who elect the Hospice Medicare benefit will receive the following Hospice services under Medicare Part A:
Hospice Medicare Benefits
How long is Hospice Medicare in effect?
Special benefit periods apply to Hospice care. Hospice Medicare is provided and re-evaluated for two 90-day periods followed by indefinite 60-day periods when the patient is recertified as having a limited life expectancy. The patient may stop Hospice care at any time and return to cure-oriented care. Should the disease stabilize, the patient’s physician may decide that the patient no longer meets the Hospice clinical guidelines. The patient would then be discharged from full Hospice care and referred to Pathways Palliative Care and/or other community services, if needed. Full Hospice services will be available to the patient again if he/she meets these guidelines at a later date.
To view the full benefits, English: http://www.medicare.gov/publications/Pubs/pdf/02154.pdf To view other Medicare information, English: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11361.pdf
Hospice Medicaid
In the state of Florida, Hospice Medicaid is basically the same as Hospice Medicare. To become eligible, a patient must meet the financial criteria under the Department of Children and Families Services guidelines. The Hospice staff will assist you in completing these forms.
TriCare
TriCare provides the same services under its Hospice benefit as Medicare and Medicaid.
Insurance Plans with a Hospice Benefit
A method of payment is coordinated between a patient’s insurance company and Cornerstone Hospice. Each insurance company has its own unique system. Under federal law, Hospice is required to bill the patient for the copayment that is not covered by his/her insurance. The patient will receive a statement from Hospice showing the balance after the insurance company has paid. For convenience, we accept cash, check, Master Card, VISA, American Express and Discover.
Sliding Fee Scale
Those patients who have no insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid may be asked to pay for Hospice services on a sliding fee scale. The Hospice social worker or financial liaison will assist the patient and families with this.
Please remember that this is only basic information about Hospice reimbursement. If there are further questions, please consult with Cornerstone Hospice at 352-343-1341 or Toll Free 888-728-6234 or email billing@cornerstonehospice.org.
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