Americare - Comparison of Home Health and Hospice

Home Health Vs Hospice

The difference between the two services is:

Home Health Program	Hospice Program
Must have an intermittent short term need for Skilled Nursing or Therapy to qualify for Home Health.	Prognosis of 6 months or less if the terminal diagnosis were to run its “normal” course.
Focus is on curative or restorative goals.	Focus is on comfort measures (palliative/symptom control). Curative therapy is not appropriate at this point.
Reimbursement to Bridge Program covers: Skilled Nursing Visits Home Health Aide Visits Medical Social Worker Visits Therapy Visits Certain Medical Supplies How are other Needed Services and Products Covered? Billed through usual method as prior to being admitted to the Bridge Program.	Reimbursement to Hospice covers: Skilled Nursing Visits Hospice Aide Visits Medical Social Worker Visits Spiritual Support /Chaplain Visits Volunteer Support Bereavement Support Medications related to terminal illness Medical Supplies and Equipment related to terminal illness Labs & X-Rays as ordered by the Hospice Team Therapies if needed (Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy) Respite or Inpatient Care
Patient must be considered Homebound.	Patient does not need to be homebound.
Home Health may not be provided in a long term care facility.	Hospice may be provided wherever the patient resides – home or nursing facility.

Americare Home Health and Hospice