Which of the following statements regarding hospice care is true?
a. Currently, no insurance companies cover hospice services.
b.Patients can only be admitted if death is likely within six months.
c. No medications are available once a patient moves into hospice.
d. People are only admitted when there is reasonable chance for recovery.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is b. Patients can only be admitted if death is likely within six months.
Explanation:
Hospice care is a specialized type of healthcare aimed at providing comfort and support to individuals who are in the final stages of a terminal illness. It focuses on managing symptoms and providing palliative care rather than trying to cure the illness. The goal of hospice is to improve the quality of life for patients who are approaching the end of life.
Here’s why each of the statements is true or false:
- a. Currently, no insurance companies cover hospice services.
This statement is false. In fact, many insurance companies, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, do provide coverage for hospice care. Medicare, for example, covers all hospice services for eligible patients, including nursing care, medical supplies, and medications related to the patient’s terminal illness. - b. Patients can only be admitted if death is likely within six months.
This statement is true. To be eligible for hospice care, a physician must certify that the patient is likely to have six months or less to live if the illness follows its usual course. This is a key criterion for hospice admission. However, if a patient outlives the six-month prognosis, they can continue to receive hospice care as long as they are still deemed to be terminally ill. - c. No medications are available once a patient moves into hospice.
This statement is false. Medications are an integral part of hospice care. The focus of hospice is on pain relief and symptom management, and medications are often prescribed to control pain, manage symptoms like nausea or anxiety, and ensure the patient’s comfort. Medications may be prescribed to help manage the patient’s condition, even though the focus is not on curative treatment. - d. People are only admitted when there is reasonable chance for recovery.
This statement is false. Hospice care is for patients who have a terminal illness and are not expected to recover. It is specifically designed for people who are at the end of life, where the focus is on comfort, not curative treatment.
Thus, statement b is the only correct option.