Medicare/Medicaid offers ‘Care Choices’ program

MOUNT AIRY — The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has selected Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care to administer its “Care Choices” demonstration model.

The centerpiece of “Care Choices” is a plan to allow qualified patients to receive both palliative and curative care at the same time.

The benefits of “Care Choices” include:

• Pain and symptom management

• Care coordination with medical providers

• Case management by the Care Choices team

• Emotional and spiritual support

• Completing Advanced Directives

• Education on disease and treatment options

Those eligible for “Care Choices” include individuals diagnosed with:

• Advanced Cancer

• Advanced COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• Advanced CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)

• End Stage HIV/AIDS

Requirements for Participation in “Care Choices”:

• The candidate must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

• The doctor or provider must state in writing that the individual has a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

• Participants must have been to the hospital once (ED visit, hospitalization, or admitted for observation) within the last 12 months, and had three doctor visits within the last twelve months related to the diagnosis.

• At the time of enrollment, the patient must reside in a traditional house, rather than a nursing home, or assisted living facility.

(“Care Choices” professionals can assist patients with this eligibility screening process, and can answer questions for family members and loved ones.)

Payment for “Care Choices”

The patient’s Medicare Benefit will pay for the Care Choices team. Medications, equipment, therapies and visits to primary physicians and specialist providers are billed to Medicare as before, and established co-pays will apply.

For more information call 336-789-2922, or visit www.mtnvalleyhospice.org.