As an attorney who focuses much of my practice on estate planning, a significant portion of my time is devoted to assisting individuals in preparing for the potential challenges of incapacity and the inevitable reality of mortality. For many clients, this involves determining who will oversee their assets in the event of incapacity and outlining the distribution of their estate after their passing. We may also delve into strategies for safeguarding assets during their lifetime and ensuring financial preparedness for the potential high costs of long-term care in later years. In my experience, I have found that people are often unprepared and unsure of their options when a loved one receives a terminal diagnosis and has little time left. With that in mind, I thought I would share some insights into hospice care in Maryland for those who find themselves facing hospice care for a loved one.
What Is Hospice Care?
The advantages of advanced healthcare have significantly extended our average lifespan in the United States when compared to that of our ancestors just a century ago. Despite these advancements, there are illnesses and conditions that even the best modern medicine cannot cure. In such cases, a patient receives a terminal diagnosis, signifying that curative measures are no longer viable. The primary focus shifts to ensuring the patient’s comfort and freedom from pain. This is where hospice care becomes integral.
While hospice care is administered by skilled healthcare professionals, their objective is not to cure the patient’s disease or condition but to enhance the patient’s quality of life during their remaining time. Additionally, hospice care provides support to family members confronting the imminent loss of their loved one.
To qualify for hospice care, a patient’s physicians must confirm a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of no more than six months. The hospice team can deliver care in various settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice residential homes, or the patient’s or a family member’s residence.
While addressing the patient’s physical symptoms is part of hospice care to ensure comfort, its approach is holistic. A hospice care team typically comprises physicians and nurses, as well as social workers, spiritual advisors, and psychologists. This multidisciplinary team collaborates with the patient and family to develop a personalized plan tailored to their needs. Regular meetings and 24/7 availability for emergencies underscore the comprehensive support provided by the hospice team to both the patient and their family.
Who Pays for Hospice Care in Maryland?
If you are grappling with the news that a loved one has a terminal condition and will no longer be with you in the near future, the last thing you probably want to worry about is paying for your loved one’s hospice care. If your loved one has private health insurance, there is a good chance that hospice care is covered under that policy. If your loved one has Medicare Part A (the part that most retirees do have)), hospice care is covered as long as three conditions are met, including:
- The patient’s hospice doctor and regular doctor (if applicable) certify that he/she is terminally ill and has a life expectancy of six months or less.
- The patient accepts comfort care instead of care to cure his/her illness or condition.
- The patient or their authorized agent under a Healthcare Power of Attorney signs a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered treatments for a terminal illness and related conditions.
In addition, Maryland Medicaid covers Hospice Services for program participants who qualify. Hospice Services covers the following: nursing care; medical social services; physicians’ services; counseling services; home health aide; medical appliances and supplies, including drugs and biologicals; and physical and occupational therapy. In general, the services must be related to the palliation or management of the recipient’s terminal illness, symptom control or to enable the individual to maintain activities of daily living and basic functional skills.
Do You Have Additional Questions about Hospice Care in Maryland?
For more information, please contact our estate planning office in Owings Mills, Maryland by calling 410-654-3850 to schedule an appointment.
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