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Ckap123 Asked November 2019

End of life and Medicare?

Has anyone have experience with end of life decisions and Medicare? What happens if Medicare patient in hospital decides not to take any recommended treatment? Could there be a giant bill from Medicare because of this? Palliative care also involved.
Thanks

Isthisrealyreal Nov 2019
No. Medicare doesn't punish people for not seeking out treatment.

When you go on palliative care, aka hospice, all treatment to improve the disease is stopped. They provide comfort care only. That looks different for everyone, so say your loved one has high bp that gives them headaches without their meds, well those meds would be continued because they provide comfort.

I am sorry that you are facing this with a loved one.

Be sure and use what hospice offers for everyone involved. If you aren't happy with their services, you can interview others and replace them. This is truly about making the patient as comfortable as possible and helping the family with the loss. I pray they do a great job for all of you.
Ckap123 Nov 2019
I thank you for your words, they helper through the day. Now, I am trying to waddle way through system seems like the hospice wants to move her to their inpatient facility for about a week and help find nursing home after that. Why leave hospital to move to then move again? Who do I speak to while in hospital?
Thank you

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