Medical News for Seniors – East Texas and the Golden Triangle

Hospice and Insurance

As Beaumont seniors continue to choose Southeast Texas Hospice care in increasing numbers, they understandably want to know if Hospice is included in their insurance coverage.

We have prepared some information on how and when insurance covers Hospice:

Hospice is paid for through the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicaid Hospice Benefit, and most private insurances held by Beaumont seniors.

If a Southeast Texas senior does not have coverage through Medicare, Medicaid or a private insurance plan, hospices will work with the patient and their family to ensure needed services are provided.

Golden Triangle seniors are eligible for Medicare Hospice Benefit if they meet all of the following conditions: 

1. You are eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), and
2. Your doctor and the Hospice medical director certify that you are terminally ill and probably have six months or less to live, and
3. You sign a waiver choosing Hospice care instead of routine Medicare covered benefits for your terminal illness, and you receive care from a Medicare approved Hospice company.

Please Note: Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that are not related to your terminal diagnosis.

Hospice Services routinely covered by insurance include:

• Doctor Services
• Skilled Nursing Care
• Social Worker Services
• Dietary Counseling
• Speech Therapy
• Spiritual Counseling
• Short term care in the hospital, including respite and inpatient for pain and symptoms management
• Medical Equipment (for example walkers, wheelchairs)
• Medical Supplies (for example bandages, catheters)
• Grief support for you and your family
• Drugs for symptom control and pain relief
• Certified Nurse Aid Services
• Physical and Occupational Therapy.

We hope this has been helpful for Beaumont seniors considering Southeast Texas hospice care.

For Southeast Texas seniors with additional questions about Golden Triangle hospice care, your personal physician is an excellent resource.

• Daryl Fant, Publisher Senior Resource Guide

• (512) 567-8068

• E-mail: SETXAdvertising@gmail.com