Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover the full cost of hospice services. Under an all-inclusive rate, there are NO out-of-pocket expenses to the patient or family. As a nonprofit organization, VNA also cares for patients who do not have access to insurance or the ability to pay, through community funds donated specifically for Hospice care for those medically appropriate.
VNA Is in Network With:
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Managed Medicare and Managed Medicaid (plans must be verified)
- Aetna
- Baylor Scott & White Health
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- Humana Managed Care
- United Healthcare, including Secure Horizons by United
*Call for additional other insurances
Medicare Eligibility
All the following conditions must be met to receive the Medicare Hospice Benefit:
- The patient must be eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance).
- The patient’s doctor and the hospice medical director must certify the patient has a life-limiting illness.
- Death must be expected in six months or less.
- The patient must sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of routine Medicare-covered benefits for his or her illness*.
- The patient must receive care from a Medicare-approved hospice program.
* Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health needs that aren’t related to a life-limiting illness.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare covers most costs of these hospice services:
- Doctor services & nursing care
- Medical equipment & supplies related to diagnosis
- Drugs for symptom control and pain relief
- Short-term care in the hospital if necessary
- Hospice aide
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Social work services
- Dietary counseling
- Grief support to help the patient and family
What if Health Improves?
If a patient’s health improves while receiving hospice services, or illness goes into remission, the patient’s doctor may stop hospice services. Any patient has the right to discontinue hospice for any reason, and return to hospice at any time, if eligible. If a patient stops hospice services, the type of Medicare coverage he or she had before choosing a hospice program resumes.