Palliative Care

By Yvonne Morrow, RN, oncology care manager at Network Health

Palliative care is often misunderstood and confused with end-of-life care. It’s important to understand the difference, because palliative care may be necessary during a serious, long-term or life-threatening illness.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people who are living with a serious illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from suffering or symptoms. Palliative care provides valuable benefits, including the following. • A resource for anyone living with a serious, longterm or life-threatening illness, such as cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, Parkinson’s disease and many others • Helps you understand choices for medical treatment • The organized services available through palliative care may be helpful to anyone having a lot of general discomfort and disability late in life

While palliative care is helpful at any stage of illness, it is best to receive it soon after you're diagnosed. The goal is to improve your quality of life and that of your family throughout diagnosis and treatment.

Who provides palliative care services?

A palliative care team is a group of specially trained doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and chaplains. This team works with you, your family, caregivers and providers to give medical, social, emotional and practical support.

To begin palliative care, you can get a referral from your doctor. If your provider doesn’t suggest it, and you feel you would benefit from these services, ask for a referral.

How does my plan cover palliative care?

Your NetworkPrime Medicare Advantage Plan covers palliative care consultation and evaluation as an outpatient services. Once you meet your $5,400 deductible, these services will cost you $0.

Palliative care services may include the following. • Pain and symptom assessment, including physical and psychological symptoms • Social and spiritual assessment • Evaluate understanding of diagnosis and treatment options • Review and determine barriers to care and treatment plan • Identify goals and wishes • Identify treatment options that match patient identified goals • Advance care planning, including document education and completion, health care agent awareness, provider awareness, education, symptom management, code status, etc. • Recommended follow-up plan

If you meet home care requirements, in-home palliative care may be covered under the home care benefit. If hospice is recommended, it is covered under Original Medicare.

Network Health Care Managers can assist you as you navigate your health journey. We can help you understand diseases and diagnoses, clarify treatment goals and options, understand and support your ability to cope with illness and help coordinate your care. If you have questions about your health care, please call care management at 866-709-0019 (TTY 800-947-3529), Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.