New England Hospice is a state-certified Medicare and Medicaid provider of hospice services.

Few understand that the Medicare hospice benefit is the most comprehensive benefit offered by Medicare. Under Medicare, necessary hospice medical and support services for the management of a terminal illness are furnished under a plan of care established by the hospice staff, the patient and their family, and the patient's attending physician.

A Medicare beneficiary who chooses hospice care receives medical, emotional, social and spiritual support services for his or her terminal illness. Using a team approach, nurses, physicians (including the patient’s personal physician), social workers, dietitians, chaplains and volunteers all work together with the patient and his or her family to plan and coordinate care. In addition, family members can receive bereavement counseling and follow-up for one year after the patient’s death.

A patient may choose to be discharged from hospice services and then later re-elect the hospice benefit at any time as long as they have a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Patients may also change hospice providers, as long as the hospice program they select is Medicare-approved.

When all eligibility requirements are met, the Medicare hospice benefit covers the following services if related to the patient’s terminal illness:

• Physician services
• Nursing care
• Social work services
• Medical equipment
• Medical supplies
• Medications for symptom management and pain relief
• Short-term inpatient care for symptom management or respite
• Certified nursing assistants for personal cares
• Physical and occupational therapy.
• Speech/language pathology services.
• Dietary and other counseling.

Medicare pays nearly the entire cost of these services. The only expense to the patient is a limited co-payment for medications.