Medicare Modifies Controversial Hospice Drug Rule (won't pay for pain relief pills)

Washington Post ^ | July 18, 2014 | Susan Jaffe

[Innovative]

Under the rules that took effect in May, hospice patients or their families could not fill prescriptions through their Part D drug plans until first confirming that the prescriptions were not covered by hospice providers. Drugs related to palliative and comfort care are supposed to be covered under the fixed rate payments to the hospice.

Medicare announced Friday that the rules would be revised so that the additional authorization would be required for only four types of medications: pain relievers, anti-nauseants, laxatives, and anti-anxiety drugs that are “nearly always” considered hospice-related.

[Chode]

and it's only gonna get worse

[Coldwater Creek]

I am an out patient hospice patient. You are absolutely right. There is plenty of wrong with Medicare, but hospice is done right. I have been on hospice for 9 months and have had excellent care,

[hal ogen]

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