Hospice and Medicare
You or your family members have the right to select any hospice of your choice.
Medicare Hospice Benefit Facts
You can get Medicare hospice benefits when you meet all of these conditions:
- You are eligible for Medicare Part A;
- Your physician and the Hospice Medical Director certify that you have a terminal prognosis of less than six months if the disease runs its normal course;
- You sign a Medicare Election Form stating that you are choosing hospice care (symptom control and pain management) rather than seeking curative measures;
- You choose a hospice that is Medicare-certified.
Services include:
- Physicians
- Nursing
- Social workers
- Chaplain
- Hospice aides/homemaker
- Volunteers
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy (as needed)
- Medications related to the terminal prognosis
- Medical equipment necessary for patient comfort and safety
In addition, a hospice nurse and physician are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to give you and your family support and care when you need it.
There are four levels of care provided under the Medicare Hospice Benefit:
- Routine home care (in the patient’s home)
- Short-term inpatient care for pain and/or symptom management that cannot be controlled in the home
- Short-term respite care in a nursing facility (for caregiver relief), and
- Continuous home care (for crisis management).
While most insurance plans cover hospice, we do not refuse patients because of their inability to pay.
Health Insurance
- Medicare Part A: If you or a family member are or become eligible for the Medicare Benefit you are qualified for the hospice benefit under Medicare Part A. It is an enhanced program with many benefits and is part of everyone’s Medicare. Hospice is a direct Medicare benefit and does not go through Secure Horizons, First Choice, Good Health Plan, etc.
- Hospice care if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan: All Medicare-covered services you get while in hospice care are covered under Original Medicare, even if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare Health Plan offered by a private company (Medigap). However, if your plan covers extra services not covered by Original Medicare (like dental and vision benefits), your plan will continue to cover these extra services.
- Medicaid: If you are on Medicaid, you are allowed to choose which Medicaid Hospice Program you favor and request that your physician refer your care to the program you have selected.
About Mt. Hood Hospice
Mt. Hood Hospice has been providing care and bereavement support to families in Multnomah and Clackamas Counties for 43 years. We are a not-for-profit, free standing, independent, community-based hospice.
Mt. Hood Hospice was the first free-standing hospice in Oregon to be granted Medicare certification in 1987. Since that time we have stayed current in compliance with changing CMS regulations while remaining true to our original ideal: to provide the highest quality care to families coping with life-limiting illness, emphasizing comfort, dignity and choice.
MT. HOOD HOSPICE CELEBRATES 43 YEARS!
We are a not-for-profit Hospice that provides quality care for terminally ill patients and their loved ones,
regardless of their ability to pay.
Living with a Terminal Illness
When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the lives of those close to them are impacted as well. It's important to learn as much as you can about the illness. The more information you have, the more in control you will feel. Learn more.
What You Need to Know
Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. You can choose your hospice! Every Medicare beneficiary with Part A entitlement has a Medicare Hospice Benefit allowing them services from ANY Medicare certified hospice. This is regardless of their enrollment in any HMO. We care for people in residential facilities as well as at home. Learn more.
Kind Words From Our Families
Watch this one-minute video testimonial and hear why families choose Mt. Hood Hospice.
Medicare
We are certified by Medicare, which means we get surveyed every 3 to make sure we are following all state and federal hospice regulations.
Support Groups
Caregivers Together Social Hour (Online)
December 3 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am PSTCreative Healing (In Person)
December 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am PSTGrief and Complicated Circumstances Social Hour (Online)
December 5 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm PSTGrief & the Holidays (Online)
December 5 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm PSTLiving with Grief Social Hour (Online)
December 9 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PSTCaregivers Together Social Hour (Online)
December 10 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am PSTGrief & Complicated Circumstances Social Hour (Online)
December 12 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm PSTBreathe Move Write (Online)
December 12 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm PST
Grief Support Contact
Registration is required prior to meetings. Contact Laura Lirette to register,
503-668-5545
llirette@mthoodhospice.org