Health Care Insurance Guide: End Of Life Care
Hospice
Hospice care offers help for people who are dying. It provides emotional support, pain management and other services. HMOs must cover hospice care benefits.
In hospice, a nurse visits regularly. She advises the family and helps with medications, bathing and other care. The nurse can also help the family deal with emotional stress and make the final arrangements when the patient dies.
This is a form that lets you say what kind of care you want and who will make health care decisions for you if you can't. The form must be signed and witnessed. Give copies to your doctor, family and close friends. Talk to them about your wishes. To order a form, call California Healthcare Association. Pain Management
If an HMO plan covers prescription drugs, it must cover pain medications for people who are dying. Make sure your doctor provides enough pain medication. Help for Caregivers
Your HMO's hospice program can help you find extra support and deal with emotional stress. Your HMO may also have a social worker you can talk with. Visit www.caregiver.org. AARP
Information on health care and other issues for seniors
(800) 424-3410 www.aarp.org California Healthcare Association
Free Advance Health Care Directive forms
(800) 494-2001 www.calhealth.org California Registry
Information on hospice care and long-term care
(800) 777-7575 www.calregistry.com Caregiver Resource Center
Help for family caregivers www.caregiver.org HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program)
Information, counseling and advocacy for Medicare members
(800) 434-0222
Hospice care offers help for people who are dying. It provides emotional support, pain management and other services. HMOs must cover hospice care benefits.
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Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospital or in a nursing home. Family or friends may assist.
Ask your HMO about coverage for nursing home care. For more information on nursing home care, call HICAP or visit , www.calregistry.com.
HMOs do not cover long-term care. For information on longterm care, call AARP or HICAP.
This is a form that lets you say what kind of care you want and who will make health care decisions for you if you can't. The form must be signed and witnessed. Give copies to your doctor, family and close friends. Talk to them about your wishes. To order a form, call California Healthcare Association. Pain Management
If an HMO plan covers prescription drugs, it must cover pain medications for people who are dying. Make sure your doctor provides enough pain medication. Help for Caregivers
Your HMO's hospice program can help you find extra support and deal with emotional stress. Your HMO may also have a social worker you can talk with. Visit www.caregiver.org. AARP
Information on health care and other issues for seniors
(800) 424-3410 www.aarp.org California Healthcare Association
Free Advance Health Care Directive forms
(800) 494-2001 www.calhealth.org California Registry
Information on hospice care and long-term care
(800) 777-7575 www.calregistry.com Caregiver Resource Center
Help for family caregivers www.caregiver.org HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program)
Information, counseling and advocacy for Medicare members
(800) 434-0222
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