Why can't my hospitalized patient have hospice care right away if the plan is to discharge him/her to the nursing home?
Medicare requires a patient to choose Medicare payment for either the care in the nursing home or for hospice care. Patients and families do have a choice, but financial necessity may determine that choice. The Medicaid system allows hospice care to begin immediately, as they pay for room and board and then allow HRRV to bill Medicare. If Medicaid is the only payment source, hospice care can begin immediately.
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