Adult Day Health- Behavioral Health
- Boutique
- Breast Health
- Cancer Center
- Center For Healthy Living
- Children's Therapy Unit
- Community Programs
- Diabetes Care
- Emergency and Urgent Care
- Employee Assistance
Program - Facial Plastic Surgery
- Family Birth Centers
- Health Care Resource
Center - HealthWorks
- Nephrology
- Heart Care
- Home Health
- Hospice and Palliative
Care - Infusion Center
- Laboratories Northwest
- Medical Imaging
- Mobile Health Services
- Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit - Orthopedics
- Neurosciences
- Pain Management
- Primary Care Clinics
- Pulmonary and Critical
Care - Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation
- Robotic Technology
- Senior Services
- Spa
- Sports Medicine
- Surgical Services
- Tobacco Cessation
- Transfusion Free Medical
and Surgical Program - Urology
- Vein Therapy
Medicare/Medicaid Notification
When hospice care begins, the patient's traditional Medicare A or Medicaid benefit changes to a special hospice benefit. Under this benefit, Hospice and Palliative Care Services is responsible to professionally manage all aspects of a patient's care related to their primary hospice diagnosis.
This responsibility also includes paying for the comfort care needs of the patient related to their hospice diagnosis, including prescription medications, medical equipment, medical supplies, and all of the services of the hospice team. The patient still has his/her traditional Medicare A or Medicaid for anything not related to the hospice diagnosis.
The hospice RN and/or social worker will work with you to access the supplies, medications and equipment you need. Hospice is required to have contracts with the suppliers we use, so it is important that you let our hospice staff know what you need so they can make the arrangements to get it for you.
If, for any reason (including your preference for different brand name), you choose not to use the supplies, equipment or medications provided by Hospice and Palliative Care Services, you are free to go to another vendor or pharmacy. However, if you choose to use a different vendor, you will be completely responsible for the cost, as Medicare or Medicaid won't pay either since you are on hospice.
Since the goal of hospice care is comfort care in one's home, accessing "911" or emergency-level care usually is not appropriate for patients on hospice. Your RN and/or social worker will explain how to reach the hospice RN 24 hours a day. Again, please remember always to call the hospice RN first so that s/he can help direct you in accessing the resources you need. Just as we must use certain contracted suppliers, we must use ONLY MultiCare hospitals and emergency facilities.
If you go to any emergency room or are admitted to a hospital for care related to your hospice diagnosis without Hospice and Palliative Care Services making those arrangements, Hospice and Palliative Care Services cannot pay the bill. You then have the option of paying for the services privately, or signing off of Hospice and Palliative Care Services to restore your traditional Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Whatever you decide, please let the Hospice RN or office know immediately.
If you have any questions, please ask your nurse, social worker, or call our hospice office at 253-459-8370.