If you receive a bill from a hospice care provider or hospice billing company for a loved one, your first reaction may be panic. What does this mean? Is my loved one dying? Do I have to pay this bill?
In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about hospice bills and provide some advice on what to do if you receive one.
Don’t panic – hospice care is often covered by insurance
If you have hospice insurance, hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurers. They will cover hospice services for an individual with a terminal illness that has a life expectancy of six months or less. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a list of questions to ask your hospice care provider to find out if your loved one is eligible for hospice coverage.
If you don’t have hospice insurance, but your loved one meets the eligibility criteria, the hospice care provider may be able to bill you directly for services. However, most hospices offer free services to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Review the bill and compare it to your coverage
If you do not have hospice insurance, your hospice care provider may bill you directly for services. If you are unsure about how much to pay or what coverage is available, contact the hospice billing department. They will be able to help with any questions and concerns that you may have regarding hospices bills and coverage.
If there is a discrepancy between the hospice care bill and your insurance coverage, contact your insurance company or hospice billing service. They will be able to help you understand what is covered and what is not.
If you have hospice insurance, but your loved one doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria, you may still be responsible for some out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses will vary depending on your hospice care provider and coverage.
Hospices are required by law to provide a bill that itemizes services provided and the associated costs. This bill should help you understand what is covered by your hospice insurance and what is not.
If you have any questions about a hospice care bill, don’t hesitate to contact the hospice billing department or your insurance company. They will be able to help you understand the charges and coverage associated with hospice care.
Make a payment plan if you need to
If you are unable to pay the hospice care bill or have any questions about hospice coverage, contact hospice billing services and make a payment plan with them. Most companies will be willing to work with you on payment plans.
If hospice billing services are not willing to make a payment plan, contact the hospice care provider directly and ask for assistance from someone in their financial department. They may have more options available than hospice billing services does.
If hospice care providers are not willing to make a payment plan, contact your hospice insurance company. They may be able to help you with the bill or provide information on how to resolve it.
If none of these options work for you, contact a lawyer who specializes in hospice law and ask them what they can do about hospice bills.
Resources for hospice financial assistance
If you are unable to pay the hospice care bill and do not have insurance, there may be resources available to help. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) provides a list of hospices that offer financial assistance for those who need it.
You can also contact your local hospice organization or state Medicaid office for more information on hospice financial assistance.
Conclusion
Receiving a hospice care bill can be scary and confusing, but with a little bit of research and help from the right people, you will be able to figure out what it means and how to pay for it. We hope this blog post was helpful!
