Hospice Care Definitions

continued from page 64 become essential in hospice care. This is not reimbursed by Medicare.

MUSIC THERAPY – Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals”. A music therapist creates goals and objectives for their patients and uses music activities and music experiences (listening, composition, improvisation, or playing/singing a familiar song) in order to achieve those goals. This is not reimbursed by Medicare.

PAIN PUMPS AVAILABLE – Many patients have their symptoms controlled through oral medications. Some situations require a pain pump where medications are administered through an IV pump. If this is the situation, inquire with the hospice RN case manager to see if pain pumps are available through their agency.

PALLIATIVE CARE – Specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness – whatever the prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

PCP-OVERSIGHT – Can the hospice patient retain their own primary care physician in addition to the hospice medical director? All hospice organizations require a medical director, a physician to oversee their care. Many times the hospice medical director will work in conjunction with the patient’s own physician. The patient, family and hospice team can determine which physicians will oversee the care and certify the hospice eligibility criteria.

PET THERAPY – There’s nothing like a visit from a four-legged creature to brighten the day of a terminally ill patient. Pet therapy teams visit with patients wherever they reside – at home or in professional care settings. Studies have shown many benefits of pet companionship, ranging from reduced blood pressure and anxiety to relief from boredom, pain and loneliness. This service is not reimbursed by Medicare.

VA CONTRACT – If the patient is not a Medicare Recipient and is covered by the VA, the VA will make payments directly to their contracted agencies. If a patient is a Veteran, but is a Medicare Recipient, they may choose any Medicare approved hospice agency for their care. ~