My dad is home on hospice and I understand they are supposed to make his living easier but wont treat his illness. Before he went to hospital he takes insulin for his diabetes and Tamsulosin for his prostate. He ended up in hospital with shortness of breath and they diagnosed him with advance CHF. Given his age and other morbidities they sent him home to hospice. Now when I go get his insulin and Tamsulosin, hospice wont paid for it because it wasn't part of his diagnosis and Medicaid/Medicare wont paid for it because he's with hospice. I wasn't told that hospice won't supply you with other medications. So now his expectancy of 6 months is getting closer, not because of his CHF but because of hospice not giving him insulin because it wasn't part of his diagnose. In order for him to get insulin he has to leave hospice and find an outside doctor. Why didn't they tell me sooner of this mess?
Hospice billing dept. should freely communicate the coding for other providers and services to distinguish the unrelated conditions. Hope this helps.