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Frequently Asked Questions


What will the patient/family have to pay for?

The answer will depend on whether the patient is covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, insurance, private pay or charity.

Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, the patient will NOT have to pay for:
  1. Drugs (medicine) that have to do with the terminal illness,
  2. Medical equipment that the hospice approves or orders,
  3. Medical supplies that the hospice approves or orders,
  4. Periodic visits by hospice staff - scheduled according to need,
  5. Hospitalization, IF determined by the hospice team to be necessary for symptom control not possible at home and IF it takes place at a hospital with which STH has a contract.
Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, the patient WILL have to pay for:
  1. Drugs that are not related to the terminal illness, e.g., blood pressure medication, thyroid pills, etc.
  2. Private duty aides or caregivers not ordered by hospice.
Under Insurance, almost every policy is different. The patient may have to pay a yearly deductible amount (usually $100-$500). The patient may also have a "co-payment" which means that (s)he has to pay a certain percentage of the bill (usually 5-25%) that the insurance will not pay. Medical equipment, supplies, may or may not be covered.

Obviously then, it is important for you and the hospice to work together to find out just what your insurance policy will cover. If you are not comfortable with your understanding of this important issue, call the hospice.

Under Private Pay, the patient WILL have to pay for:
  1. Drugs (medicine), medical equipment and medical supplies,
  2. Periodic visits by hospice staff - scheduled according to need.
Under Charity Care, the patient will NOT have to pay for:
  1. Periodic visits by hospice staff,
  2. Shifts of nurses or aides ordered by STH.
Adventist St. Thomas Hospice will issue a monthly statement of charges to private pay patients and a statement of services provided to charity patients.

What if something happens at night?

This is perhaps one of the most worrisome fears of may patients and their families. STH has a nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for this very reason. You can feel free at any time to call the hospice number (630-856-6990). The phone will be answered by a hospice nurse. If he/she is unable to help you over the phone, a RN will come to your home.

We DO NOT recommend that the paramedics be called. Once they are involved, they often feel forced to take the patient to a hospital or give more treatment than the patient or family wishes. (Also, the cost is not covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit.) ALWAYS CALL THE HOSPICE FIRST!

Can our doctor continue to see the patient?

Yes! The hospice staff firmly believes that the patient's physician should continue to be involved with the hospice patient. Visits can be made either in the doctor's office or by a home visit.

Charges for such visits should be processed in the normal way. That is, the doctor should send his/her bill directly to Medicare or insurance. The hospice does not handle these visits.

The Medicare Hospice Benefit will provide a visit by the Hospice Medical Director, if needed, in the absence of the attending physician, or upon staff or family request.

Can we try any further treatments if offered?

Of course. There may be some complications, however. Under Medicare, some treatments are considered "curative" and disqualify a patient from being covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. While STH supports the patient's right to seek whatever treatment (s)he wishes, it may have to discharge the patient during the time that such treatments are taking place in order to conform to Medicare law. The patient could then re-enter the hospice after such treatments were finished.

This is another very complicated area, and we suggest that is you have a specific question you call the hospice and talk to one of the staff about it.

Who orders supplies or drugs?

Only a physician can order drugs, so the hospice works closely with your doctor to keep him/her informed about the patient's condition. The hospice nurse is allowed to call a physician's order into a pharmacy.

Who delivers or picks up the drugs?

The patient or family is basically responsible, just as they were prior to being admitted to hospice. However, the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Pharmacy will deliver medication to you when necessary.

Can I use any pharmacy I want?

If the patient is covered by Medicare, the hospice is responsible for paying for many of the drugs that may be needed. We have a contract with the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Pharmacy. They will send bills for covered drugs directly to hospice.

If the patient's hospice care is covered by an Insurance policy that includes pharmaceuticals, bills for medication should be turned in to the usual insurance office.

What do we do at the time of death?

Call the hospice (630-856-6990). A hospice nurse will assist you. It is often even more helpful to call when you think death is approaching.

Who will contact the funeral home?

The hospice nurse usually contacts the funeral home to make arrangements to have the body taken to the funeral home.

What about the coroner?

By law, any death that takes place at home in DuPage or Will counties must be reported to the county coroner. This is usually done by the hospice nurse who has a good working relationship with the various coroners in our area. The family is rarely inconvenienced by this request.

When and Where do we get the death certificate?

The death certificate is issued by the county. Usually the funeral home will arrange to get the information needed for the certificate and will file it with the appropriate government offices. The funeral home will usually arrange to get you as many copies of the certificate as you need. Subsequently, you will have to contact the County Health Department to obtain additional copies. A fee is charged.

Who will arrange to get equipment picked up after a death?

The hospice staff will make the necessary calls for any equipment that the hospice ordered. Arranging for equipment ordered by the family is the family's responsibility, but the hospice staff will be happy to assist when possible.

What about memorials?

The income received as memorials plays a vital role in the hospice's well-being. We appreciate mention in obituaries, etc., as a possibility for memorials in lieu of flowers. Memorial envelopes are available for use in funeral homes for those who wish them.

Any individuals sending memorials will receive a thank you from the hospice. In addition, we will send you a listing of those who gave memorials.

If you have questions that haven't been addressed, please feel free to call the hospice and talk to one of the staff.