You don't have to be dying in 6 months to get hospice. Rules changed a few years back. But, the patient is suppose to be kept comfortable. I agree you need to discuss this with the nurse associated with Moms case.
Homebound Medicare patients are eligible for medical visits in the home. Mthr has a visiting dr's office coming around to recertify her for her narcotic every refill. She does not have to get out at all. Her visit is covered by Medicare (not income based) and the visit fee is too. Her drugs are packaged by a pharmacy so everything is labeled as to what time she is to take it which is $25 a month plus drug cost not covered by Medicare. She graduated from Hospice in Aug and we learned quickly that she really can't go anywhere.
Ask your Hospice Nurse about Re-Certification. If not Hospice, what about Palliative Care, which is similar to Hospice, and allows in home care, Drs visits, and when her symptoms graduate to needing Hospice care, it would be a seemless transition. Many Hospice companies offer both.
Mom has been on home hospice care for 6 months and isn't declining, so she may lose it. Her pain is so bad that going to the pain clinic is really hard on her. I wonder if seeing the cardiologist may help. Her diagnosis of congestive heart failure is how she qualified for home hospice.
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