Information for Patients and Families

Resources

• Healthcare Awareness

  Healthcare Awareness

  Each month of the year calls special attention to different areas of healthcare awareness to keep you informed and educated. Check out these resources on CANCER AWARENESS and PAIN MANAGEMENT to help you and loved ones coping with advanced illness.  

• There For You Booklet

  There For You Booklet

  The THERE FOR YOU booklet provides in-depth detail for patients, families and loved ones who are beginning their hospice journey.

• When The Time Comes Booklet

  When The Time Comes Booklet

  This caregiver's guide will help you navigate the physical and emotional changes you and your loved one can experience at the end of life. Please ask someone from your care team for a copy if you have not received a copy. 

• Patient & Caregiver Training Guide

  Patient & Caregiver Training Guide

  The PATIENT & CAREGIVER TRAINING GUIDE is designed to provide information about our care and to address frequently asked questions and concerns. We hope this guide answers many of your initial questions and provides other important information to assist in meeting your care needs.

• Your Rights and Responsibilities

  Your Rights and Responsibilities

  As a patient of Community Hospice & Palliative Care, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Federal and state law requires that we recognize your rights while you are receiving medical care from us, and that you respect our right to expect certain behavior from you.

  Community Hospice & Palliative Care Patient and Family Guidelines

  Community Hospice & Palliative Care strives to provide you with the best of care. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for patients and families and to be the compassionate guide for end-of-life care in the community.

  To report a complaint regarding your patient rights or the services you receive, please call the Community Hospice & Palliative Care Compliance department at 904.407.7097.

  Medicare patients have the right to file a written complaint about the quality of care you are receiving or have received to the Quality Improvement Organization established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS):

  KEPRO
  5201 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 900
  Tampa, FL 33609-1822
  Attention Beneficiary Complaints 
  Medicare Beneficiary Helpline Number: 844.455.8708 (toll free)
  Fax: 844.834.7129
  beneficiary.complaints@hcqis.org

• Privacy Practices

  Privacy Practices

  A federal regulation, known as the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), requires that you be provided a detailed notice in writing of our privacy practices. This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how your Protected Health Information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, how you can get access to this information, and how to report a complaint.

  Notice of Privacy Practices

• Is There a Cost?

  Is There a Cost?

  For the majority of Community Hospice patients over 65 and enrolled in Medicare, the cost of hospice care is covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit with no out-of-pocket expenses for the patient or family. Hospice care also is covered through the Florida Medicaid Hospice Benefit and most private insurance plans.

  Our care is provided regardless of an individual's ability to pay thanks to generous contributions from community supporters.

  Contact us today for information or to arrange a visit to explain our services and coverage under the MEDICARE HOSPICE BENEFIT.

• Medicare Hospice Benefit

  Medicare Hospice Benefit

  The Medicare Hospice Benefit is designed to meet the unique needs of those with a life-limiting illness, providing them and their loved ones with services and support not otherwise covered by Medicare.

  Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, beneficiaries elect to receive comfort care for their hospice diagnosis instead of curative treatment. The patient may continue to access standard Medicare benefits for treatment of conditions unrelated to the hospice diagnosis.

  If you have any questions, please call 904.268.5200 and ask to speak with someone in our Finance department.

• Medicare Summary Notice

  Medicare Summary Notice

  Quarterly, Medicare patients receive from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services a Medicare Summary Notice that lists Medicare health insurance claims information, and services and supplies billed to Medicare for a 90-day-period—for both hospice and non-hospice claims.

  This is not a bill. Hospice care is an “all-inclusive” benefit; you do not owe any money for any of the hospice care provided to you by Community Hospice & Palliative Care. Learn more about the Medicare Summary Notice.

  For more information about Medicare, call 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227) or visit www.medicare.gov.

• Florida Medicaid Hospice Coverage

  Florida Medicaid Hospice Coverage

  Medicaid is a state-run program funded by the state and federal governments that provides medical assistance for individuals and families with limited income and resources. The Florida Medicaid Hospice Benefit is essentially identical to the Medicare benefits described previously.

  If you believe that you qualify for Medicaid hospice coverage, we are available to help you understand your Medicaid coverage as it relates to our hospice care. Please call 904.268.5200 and ask to speak with someone in our finance department.

• Private Insurance Coverage

  Private Insurance Coverage

  Community Hospice & Palliative Care accepts most private insurance. Insurance hospice benefits are paid according to your insurance plan’s coverage and are subject to your deductible, co-payment and the out-of-pocket requirements of the individual plan.

  It is the policy of Community Hospice & Palliative Care to ensure the availability of end-of-life care to all individuals who are eligible for hospice care regardless of their ability to pay for services. However, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, in order to protect its ability to provide care for all, will bill Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, if available.

• Caregiver Training Videos

  Caregiver Training Videos

  Here are some VIDEOS for family members and caregivers to help with their loved ones. If you have an emergency, please call our Patient Priority Line at 877.699.7300. LEARN MORE