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Hospice Services Available Under TRICARE |
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Disabled veterans and their families enrolled in the military's TRICARE medical plan can apply for respite and hospice care services when they are faced with life-ending illnesses. TRICARE is the health care program for active duty and retired military personnel, their families, and their survivors. Hospice care is a special kind of medical treatment for patients with life-ending illness. Patients usually have six months or less to live and are not seeking cures. Hospice services are provided to the patient and the family by a team of professionals and trained volunteers. The focus is on taking care of the patient's symptoms and controlling pain. Veterans should know that a hospice offers comfort rather than curative medical treatment, treats the person and not the disease, emphasizes quality of life, and considers the family the "unit of care." Initially, the hospice team often cares for patients in their own homes. When the family needs a rest from caring for the patient at home, the patient, under respite care, can go to a hospital or nursing home for up to five days at a time. When patients have six months or less to live, they may be transferred to a hospice facility for care that involves the whole family. Patients and their families are included when important decisions must be made. Special counseling and other services are given to family members after the death of the loved one. Veterans who are TRICARE members may use the program's hospice plan, which is the same as the Medicare hospice benefit. Members must choose TRICARE hospice care instead of regular benefits, must use a Medicare-certified hospice program that accepts TRICARE, and receives hospice care as long as they meet the rules to qualify. The TRICARE member's main doctor and the hospice doctor must agree that the member fits this standard. TRICARE pays the hospice directly for all authorized services. Patients may pay a 5% co-payment for drugs and inpatient respite care. Services and care not related to the terminal illness are not covered by the hospice benefit, but they are covered, as they normally would be, under the patient's regular TRICARE benefits. Only Medicare-certified hospices can provide and bill for the TRICARE hospice benefits. It is important for the patient and family to check with their health benefit advisor or health care finder to help locate a qualified hospice agency. Veterans and their families seeking additional information care should contact their TRICARE health benefit advisor or their primary care manager. www.dav.org/magazine/2001 |
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