The Medicare Modernization Act of 2010 added a hospice benefit under Part A of Medicare for terminally ill persons with less than six months to live as determined by the patient’s physician. Treatment provided includes pharmaceutical products for symptom control and pain relief as well as other services not otherwise covered by Medicare Part A.
Medicare Supplement insurance policies sold prior to 2010 do not include the Part A Hospice benefit. Some companies are now offering the policyholder to elect the new benefit for a small premium increase without providing evidence of insurability. I have recommended that all of our members elect the benefit since it will provide co-pay protection to them.
Coach
