Medi Hospice Fredericksburg & Northern Virginia Blog is designed to educate and inform the public about hospice options and services. Our Hospice serves the many cities and counties within the State of Virginia.

This Blog is dedicated to our wonderful hospice volunteers who contribute countless hours for free to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill patients.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Hospice Benefits Under Medicare

 Have you ever wondered if you or a loved one 
might qualify for hospice care?
The purpose of hospice is to preserve the quality of life for those who have a limited time to live. Hospice workers address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of a terminally ill person who is expected to live six months or less.

If you or your loved one is 
eligible for Medicare, his or her hospice care might be covered.
All of the following requirements must be met:
· Eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance).

· Your doctor certifies that you or your loved one is terminally ill and has 6 months or less to live.

· You accept palliative Care (for comfort) instead of care to cure your illness.

· You or your loved one (or Power of Attorney/legal guardian) signs a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered benefits to treat the terminal illness.
 · Care must be provided by a Medicare-approved hospice program. This means that the hospice you choose must have a license certification from Medicare. The hospice benefit under Medicare includes two 90-day hospice benefit periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods.

There is additional information available online at 

www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-and-respite-care.html

What hospice costs are not covered?

· Treatment, including medications, equipment and supplies for conditions unrelated to the life-limiting illness.

· Care from physicians or other health care providers that are not related to the life-limiting illness.

· Room and board if you live at home, in a nursing home, or in a hospice residential facility.

· Emergency room visits, inpatient facility care, and ambulance transportation unless arranged by your hospice medical team; treatment, including medications, equipment and supplies for conditions unrelated to the life-limiting illness.



 Volunteers are a very important part of hospice care. Medicare requires that 5% of total patient care hours be volunteer hours. 

Volunteering in hospice is a choice that creates rewards for patients and families. The ultimate surprise is the growth a volunteer develops from learning more about themselves with every visit to their patient. You learn to communicate in ways that increase your own appreciation of life.  Your views of daily situations take on a holistic perspective.  Nothing will ever be the same in your personal or professional life if you are correctly trained as a hospice volunteer.



  1. Must be 18 or over to volunteer.
  2. Weekend and evening hours are available.
  3. Maximum requirement is two to four hour per week.
  4. Locations will vary.
  5. Personal transportation required.

    So would you consider joining others on their last journey? 

We are actively growing our hospice volunteer program and we would like you to know that if you have a desire to become involving in making a difference in the lives of the dying we will give you that opportunity! Medi Hospice is located in Fredericksburg & Manassas, Virginia. We have a Volunteer Coordinator who will meet and discuss with you our volunteer opportunities. Should you desire to join our team call during normal business hours and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.


                                   

For volunteer opportunities in Fredericksburg or Manassas Virginia
Call Medi Hospice Volunteer Coordinator
@  (540) 361-7696




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