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KathyJo2 Asked July 2021

Private health care insurance when on Hospice?

My husband has ALS (definitive diagnosis by Barrows Neurological Center) and has been on Hospice for the past month. Do we continue to pay his $751 monthly healthcare premium when he's on Hospice? He does not qualify for Medicare. Will our private healthcare pay for Hospice bills? Will our $10K deductible continue? We have BCBS of Arizona. I'm so tired and burned out already. Neither of us have any family to assist with care. I run to the grocery store when the aide comes - it's a quick 50 minutes once a week. I cared (full time) for the last 2 years of my first husband's life, my Mother, and my Father. They all had Medicare when on Hospice. Thank you for your input ...

Isthisrealyreal Jul 2021
KathyJo, my sister had BCBS AZ and they paid for her hospice, no deductible. The hospice should be able to explain everything to you as well.

This was 5 years ago, so I would call BCBS and also find out if he can qualify for Medicare because of his diagnosis.

I am so sorry that you are facing this loss.

igloo572 Jul 2021
Why isn’t he on MediCARE? Is it that he is still too young? Or recently considered disabled so he’s going through the SSDI / SSI process as to how they deal with Medicaid & Medicare? If it’s this, please post that. There is someone on this forum who is super knowledgeable on SSDI / SSI system. Way different than over 65 w MediCARE situation.

The hospice agency he is with this past month for sure has an entity they are billing. Call them and ask.

personally till you know what his health insurance will definitely be, I would not cancel his BCBS. I’d try to find out from BCBS in writing if the 10k deductible is for hospitalization and physician visits and RXs but does not apply for hospice billing.

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BarbBrooklyn Jul 2021
Here is another good ALS resource that makes specific mention of Medicare:

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/financial-information/medicare-information

BarbBrooklyn Jul 2021
https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eligibility-and-enrollment/medicare-eligibility-for-als-and-esrd-patients/

Acording to the above, a patient with a diagnosis of ALS qualifies for Medicare regardless of age.

Does the Barrows center have a social services staff? That's where I would start. Or you can call the CMS number, 1 (800) 633-4227

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