Help! Transition to hospice too soon resulted in $6K bill at SNF

KikiCruz

My father has been in a SNF for nearly 3 months following a hip fracture. He's frail and the ordeal has advanced his dementia to severe. The rehab facility doctor has been recommending hospice transition for some time. I was able to get him accepted at the MC place where my mother now resides on a hospice basis. This has taken some maneuvering since the two facilities are in different states 700 miles away, but we're all set to discharge him Monday and drive him to the MC where the new hospice will accept him on Tuesday.

I followed the hospice social worker's recommendation to allow hospice in the originating city 7 days to get to know him, change his meds, and facilitate relations with the hospice in the destination city. The social worker sent out a nurse at the first available time, who admitted Dad that day. Altogether, the time between the initial admission to hospice and discharge will be 12 days.

I was just handed a bill for 12 days of SNF at $525/day, which is even more than the MC will be charging. I've been managing my parents' assets frugally, but splurging on the MC to provide them, hopefully, with a better end of life.

No one told me that we would be moved to private pay at the SNF the very second he was put on hospice. (Medicare+his secondary insurance had up to this point paid for everything.) I knew of course that Medicare wouldn't pay for dx-related medical treatment, but I thought that would include his care. I am punishing myself for being so stupid about not asking probing questions on finances. But I'm also mad that neither the social worker at the SNF nor the one at hospice (whom I was talking to regularly) gave any warning about the financial implications.

I could have at least changed the hospice orders so that they transitioned his status 4 or 5 days in advance of the discharge, instead of 12. I'm just sick about it.

Any advice?

harshedbuzz

@KikiCruz

I am so sorry. There probably isn't anything you can do at this point. Hospice doesn't cover custodial care (room & board) only hospice services/supplies but this absolutely should have been explained to you. I wonder if the social worker assumed you were already self-pay. I would register your disappointment that they didn't explain this and I might ding them in reviews once dad has moved on.

HB

cdgbdr

File a complaint if you have the energy. You should have been notified of the change in out of pocket payment.