Home care assistance (HELP)

Does anyone have any insight into how one goes about securing home healthcare services through Medicare for those dealing with serious illnesses, specifically cancer patients? I'm looking for details on the required documentation, the typical scale of the assistance provided, and anything else relevant.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!😉

You can take your concerns straight to your primary care physician, and they have the authority to file the paperwork for home health services provided by private agencies—think companies like CVS Health or UnitedHealth Group (it really just depends on which part of the city you're in). This kind of assistance isn't automatic; it's initiated by your doctor and then has to be officially approved by a medical board. My dad actually had folks from one of those agencies come out to his place to administer IV fluids when he couldn't eat, and they even handled changing his nasogastric tube. To be fair, they cleared him for full-time nursing because he was in the terminal stages of his illness, though they were always grumbling about how much time they wasted waiting around for the IV drips to finish. Aside from the complaining, they were fine enough...

Hopefully, this gives you at least a little bit of clarity.

It certainly helps, and quite significantly at that..😉

What I’m curious about, though, is whether Medicare covers any supplemental supplies—things like diapers or perhaps even hospital beds and similar equipment? That seems to be the standard in other developed nations. Of course, medications are handled through prescriptions and such... but do you happen to know anything regarding those specific costs?

It doesn't necessarily need to be fully covered; even a little bit of assistance goes a long way in easing the burden during situations like this...

Thanks again 😉

You can get things like diapers and some of those specialized baby foods through prescription, but as for a crib... I'm not entirely sure, though my gut tells me you won't find that covered...

Also, thanks. Does anyone happen to have more intel on what was mentioned earlier regarding hospital beds and other mobility aids? I'm wondering if there are any subsidies, grants, or similar programs available to cover those costs.

Thanks 😉

Regarding the hospital bed, you might be able to score one through a local hospice association
but here is the catch: they only have about fifteen beds in their entire inventory, and every single one was already out on loan when I gave them a call.😢 Typically, a specialized bed like that would run you upwards of $1000.

I am not entirely certain which other medical supplies you are hunting for, but honestly, those people at the association are incredibly kind. You should reach out to them directly and see if they can lend a hand. We actually managed to secure oxygen and a suction machine through them, both of which were absolutely vital for us... It is such a shame we didn't know these resources existed sooner, because it would have made everything so much easier. I am actually heading over there tomorrow to return all the equipment we borrowed...

brisksurfer said:Regarding the hospital bed, you can theoretically source one through a hospice association like .
The issue is they only have about fifteen beds in total, and every single one was already checked out when I called them.😢 Generally speaking, a bed like that retails for upwards of $1000.

I am not entirely sure what other supplies you might need, but the people at the association are genuinely kind, so your best bet is to reach out and see if they can assist. We managed to secure oxygen and an aspirator through them, both of which were absolutely essential for us. It is honestly a shame we didn't know they existed sooner, as it would have made a massive difference. I am actually heading over there tomorrow to return all the equipment we borrowed...

Thank you so much, this is going to be incredibly helpful...😉