Center for Medicare Advocacy

Advancing Access to Medicare and Healthcare

Hospice

Observation Status Impedes Access to End-of-Life Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Mr. P. has been hospitalized after having a heart attack. He also has terminal cancer for which he wants to continue treatment. If Mr. P. is admitted as an inpatient for a total of three days while in the hospital, he can qualify for Medicare Part A … [Read more...] about Observation Status Impedes Access to End-of-Life Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Husband Reimbursed for Dying Wife’s Medication After Trying to Appeal Hospice Denial for Nearly Eight Years

When Emily Back was dying in early 2008, her treating physician prescribed a medication to help relieve her excruciating pain.  After the hospice provider refused to furnish the medication, her husband, in desperation, purchased it from the … [Read more...] about Husband Reimbursed for Dying Wife’s Medication After Trying to Appeal Hospice Denial for Nearly Eight Years

Hospice and Access to Medications Update: CMS Replacement Guidance

Quick SummaryWhen Medicare beneficiaries elect the hospice benefit, they waive Medicare coverage for all care and services related to the terminal illness that are not on the hospice plan of care and provided through the hospice provider.  … [Read more...] about Hospice and Access to Medications Update: CMS Replacement Guidance

The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance

Research suggests that medications that should be covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit are sometimes paid for by Medicare Part D plans. In March, to prevent this from happening, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a … [Read more...] about The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance

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