I have asked previously about the NH putting my mom on Hospice. Her mobile Dr said she didn't think she would qualify. The hospice that the nursing home referred contacted me and said it would not affect her United Health Care Medicare Advantage. Fast forward 2 months.
Because of an error with retiree account with UHC (long, long story) I thought the hospice had affected her Medicare. I text the NH and said I was going to call the hospice and if they caused a problem with my mother's Medicare I was going to fire them. I tried calling the hospice # and what sounded like an elderly woman answered *hello* I said sorry wrong #. Then my husband tried calling the # same thing. I got a call from the hospice and the *Director* started screaming at me. I couldn't get a word in. She said they don't bill Medicare they do everything for free. I said do you report anything to CMS? The screaming intensified and she said *we aren't certified* we have nothing to do with CMS or Medicare! I screamed over the top of her YOUR FIRED.
This all seems wrong. Am I wrong? Or is this sketchy?
This is a residential home set up for 5 residents. A friend of mines mother was there for years it came highly recommended. I have had no problems with the NH itself. But I think there must be a connection between the NH and hospice. The hospice has a NPI registered as a hospice. Why would they provide free diapers?
I keep 2nd guessing myself. I thought I put enough time into researching hospice.
Thank you again for all the help this forum has provided.
In general there are 2 types of Hospice
FOR profit Hospice
NOT for profit.
The one I happened to select was a NOT for profit.
Please do not let this incident turn you away from Hospice. They can be of great help and it is never to early to contact them.
I would withdraw from the Hospice. Contact another in your area they will take care of transferring her from the “illegitimate” one to a certified Hospice.
I think I would report both the Hospice and the Nursing Home to the State Ombudsman as well as file complaints with the Government Medicare site that rates facilities
Talk to the business office at the NH. Very sketchy.