You are here: Home Managing Your ... Hospice Care 101 How Much Hospice ... Steps To Take To ...
Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

How Much Hospice Costs And How To Pay For It

Steps To Take To Convince An Insurance Company To Pay For Hospice Care

« Previous

9/9

If you have health insurance that covers hospital care for your condition, and your policy does not pay for hospice care where you want it, consider the following steps which are aimed at convincing the insurance company that it will save money if you receive hospice care.

Step 1. Contact a family member or friend who is good at negotiating and who understands business principles.

Step 2. If the person agrees to help, write a letter stating that the person is authorized to contact the insurer on your behalf and that you authorize the person to discuss confidential medical information under HIPAA (the federal medical privacy law.) 

Step 3. He or she should gather the financial facts - namely, what it would cost if you were treated in a hospital instead in a hospice situation, and what it will cost for you to be treated in a hospice situation. It would also help the argument if your doctor would write a letter to the effect that if you are not given hospice care, then it is a medical necessity for you to be in the hospital. 

Step 4. Ask the person to then contact the insurer on your behalf.

  • He or she should ask to speak with a supervisor who has authority to make a decision about coverage payment. If all else fails, he or she can contact the President's office. While it is unlikely the president will get involved in the situation, a referral from his or her assistant will be taken seriously by the person who ultimately takes the call.
  • The request should be for a payment of a daily amount rather than on a fee-for-service basis. Fee for service does not generally pay for social workers, chaplain visits, volunteers and grief counselors.

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments

 

Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.

Characters remaining:

  • Allowed markup: <a> <i> <b> <em> <u> <s> <strong> <code> <pre> <p>
    All other tags will be stripped.