Know and Protect Your Hospice Benefits
Did you know that Medicare has special benefits for end-of-life care outside of your SCAN plan?
It’s important to know what your hospice benefits are, what they’re for and when they should be used. This will ensure your benefits are there if you ever need them—and will help protect you and your benefits from fraud.
Hospice in a Nutshell
Hospice is a program that provides support and care for people who are terminally ill, as well as support for their families. Hospice care focuses on the patient’s quality of life and comfort, treating the ailments associated with their diagnosis. Once you enroll in hospice, Original Medicare will cover everything you need related to your terminal illness, but the care you get must be from a Medicare-approved hospice provider. Hospice benefits are separate from any of your SCAN benefits.
Be Aware of Hospice Scams
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the way hospice benefits work by trying to enroll healthy patients in hospice.
Follow a few simple guidelines to stay safe from this and other healthcare frauds:
To report suspected FWA, contact SCAN in one of these ways:
It’s important to know what your hospice benefits are, what they’re for and when they should be used. This will ensure your benefits are there if you ever need them—and will help protect you and your benefits from fraud.
Hospice in a Nutshell
Hospice is a program that provides support and care for people who are terminally ill, as well as support for their families. Hospice care focuses on the patient’s quality of life and comfort, treating the ailments associated with their diagnosis. Once you enroll in hospice, Original Medicare will cover everything you need related to your terminal illness, but the care you get must be from a Medicare-approved hospice provider. Hospice benefits are separate from any of your SCAN benefits.
Be Aware of Hospice Scams
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the way hospice benefits work by trying to enroll healthy patients in hospice.
Follow a few simple guidelines to stay safe from this and other healthcare frauds:
- Before doing anything, talk to people you trust! Be sure you and your doctor have discussed your condition and agree on the type of care you need. SCAN Member Services can help you understand your benefit options.
- Before signing any hospice care documents, know your rights! One such document is called Do Not Resuscitate (DOR). This DOR document removes you from your primary care doctor's care, places you under the full custody of the Hospice facility and staff and restricts you from your personal rights and those of your Family and Guardianship seeking care for you.
- Never accept gifts (such as money, gift cards or groceries) in return for healthcare services.
- Contact SCAN Member Services with questions or concerns about potential fraud and abuse issues.
To report suspected FWA, contact SCAN in one of these ways:
- SCAN Hotline on EthicsPoint: 1-877-863-3362 or visit www.ethicspoint.com
- Email: FraudWaste&AbuseProg@scanhealthplan.com
- Online: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Form
