Hospice contacted me Friday and notified me that my husband's Albuterol Sulfate for his nebulizer breathing treatments 2x/day, and his Lactulose for assistance with bowel movements (which he only has every 4-7 days WITH Lactulose included in his constipation regimen) are both no longer covered under the Medicare Hospice changes! At least I was notified in time to plan for his 2015 Part D drug plan during open enrollment, thank goodness. But seriously...both are excluded now after 11 months of them being included, because Medicare is becoming so strict about Hospice medications ONLY being related 100% to the primary terminal diagnosis. So his Aspiration and COPD complications get left behind along with his constipation complications that have led to an obstruction WITH Lactulose while on Hospice...UNFAIR and ridiculously short-sighted!! Tripping over dollars to save dimes...so typical!!
Calling and writing our congressional representatives would contribute to a potential long-term solution, but in the short term, as advocates, we need to point out every tiny sign of decline that could help hospices recognize and keep within the stricter limitations of the changing guidelines.
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