A person in our extended family is ailing. His doctor suggested the family consider hospice. He has cardiac issues and is not eligible for surgery due to his frail condition. He lives at home and his wife cares for him. English is not their first language and they are not familiar with hospice. They live in the metropolitan Portland area. Do you know if they would continue to see and consult with the same primary care doctor? How is receiving hospice care at home differ from being at a care facility? Thank you.
If this is Medicaid, then call his caseworker. That person should be able to tell you if Medicaid covers Hospice. A Hospice agency should be able to tell you if they except Medicaid insurances. If they do, its just the matter off a doctor preparing an order.
"Hospice care is covered by Medicare, the Oregon Health Plan and private insurance. Through Medicare and most insurance plans, the hospice program manages the total care and costs of treating the terminal illness. Medical services, outpatient drugs and biologicals, counseling and bereavement and attending physician or Nurse Practitioner services are paid for by the hospice provider."
It seems pretty clear that Oregon Medicaid covers hospice.
Hoping someone from Oregon logs in.
They would no longer call 911 if there was an emergency. Hospice becomes your 911. If Hospice decides that a 911 response is needed then the call would be made.
ALL insurance accept Hospice.
All medications, equipment and supplies would be ordered and delivered at the direction of Hospice.
With Hospice your/they will have a nurse that will come at least 1 time a week. A CNA will come at least 2 times a week to order supplies, bathe and care for the gentleman. They will have access to a Social Worker, Chaplain and a variety of "disciplines" / therapies if they wish. And Hospice can also provide a Volunteer that can sit with the client while the primary caregiver runs to the store or does other errands or just to take a break. Hospice will also provide about a week of Respite each year so the primary caregiver and the rest of the family can get a bit of a break. If pain, symptoms become unmanageable at home Hospice will bring him to a Hospice In Patient Unit to manage pain and symptoms, once under control they will transfer him back home.
I would not have been able to care for my Husband the way I was able to if it were not for Hospice. That was one of the best decisions I made in all the years of caregiving.
Just another thought.
There are 2 different types of Hospice
FOR profit
and
NOT for profit.
the one I chose, (and volunteer with) is NOT for profit. They accept UNINSURED and the cost of care is covered by wonderful donors. (Donations also help when payments from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance is delayed so that the care never stops.)
Have them look for NOT for Profit Hospice. (I actually think the care is better as they are not looking at the bottom line, they are looking at patient care.)
We r a forum of Caregivers sharing our experiences. We are from all over the US, Canada, UK and other countries. It would be hard finding any one member who carries this insurance.
https://oregonhospice.org/information-for-patients-families/
Is there someone who can translate this for them?
Consider finding out if there is a hospice organization in their area with native speakers of their language.