Comparison of Home Health to Hospice
Note: Insurance providers may have special provisions for Hospice benefits which vary from what is described here.
| Home Health Care | Hospice | |
|---|---|---|
| Patient needs part-time, intermittent skilled care, needs to be homebound. | Criteria | Patient is certified terminally ill by physician, elects hospice benefit. Does not need to be homebound. |
| Covered for part-time or intermittent skilled care and personal cares. | RN | Covered for skilled and supportive care. |
| 80% of approved charges covered under Part B | Physician | 100% covered for services related to the hospice diagnosis with prior approval. |
| Covered for services to patient only. | Social Worker | Covered for services to patient and caregivers. |
| Not covered. | Spiritual Counselor | Covered for services to patient and caregivers. |
| Covered for part-time or intermittent care for personal care. | HomeHealth Aide | Covered as specified in plan of care. |
| Not provided. | Volunteers | Provided as specified in plan of care. |
| Medical necessity, skilled service | PT, OT, Speech | Covered as specified in plan of care. |
| Not covered. | Dietitian | Covered as specified in plan of care. |
| Covered under Part A hospital benefit. | Inpatient Care | Hospital stay provided for pain, symptoms or psychosocial crises. |
| Not covered. | Respite Care | Provided for up to 5 days when needed by family. |
| Not covered. | Services to Nursing Home Residents | Hospice services as above for terminally ill patients (excludes room and board). |
| Included urgent nursing needs only. | 24- HourOn-Call Services | RN available on-call 24/7. |
| Not included. | BereavementFollow-up | Resources and support to families and caregivers for 13 months following pt’s death. |
| Not covered. | Medication | Prescription medications related to terminal condition(s) are covered when approved by Hospice Team. |
| Covered at 80% of approved Medicare amount. | Durable Medical Equipment | 100% covered if approved by Hospice Team. |
| Covered. | Medical Supplies | Covered if approved by Hospice Team and related to terminal illness. |