We understand that being a caregiver for your loved one takes a toll on you. We often encounter caregivers who are exhausted, stressed, and just need a moment to breathe. Respite Care is designed to give you a short break so that you can run errands, rest, attend an event, or whatever you need to do for your health and well-being.
What is Respite Care?
Under the Medicare.gov Hospice Care Coverage guidelines, respite care is a short-term inpatient benefit designed to give family caregivers a temporary break. It covers up to five consecutive days of care at a time in a Medicare-approved facility, with no lifetime limit on the number of stays.
Elizabeth House is a Medicare-approved facility offering a homelike environment with a compassionate, highly specialized Hospice Care Team who will care for your loved one while you rest and recharge. Patient suites include an outdoor balcony, an area for families, and a view of the grounds and birdfeeders. In addition, there is ample space for dining and gathering in the shared living room and dining area, complete with a coffee bar and kitchen.
How Do I Request Respite Care?
If your loved one is a patient with Four Seasons Hospice, talk to your Hospice Nurse. They can help you arrange respite care at Elizabeth House.
How Does the Respite Care Hospice Benefit Work?
- Duration: Stays are capped at up to five consecutive days and nights per period.
- Frequency: There is no limit on how many 5-day periods you can use throughout the patient’s hospice journey, as long as they remain eligible.
- Location: The benefit requires the patient to move temporarily into a Medicare-certified hospital, skilled nursing facility, or inpatient hospice unit (Elizabeth House). Standard Medicare hospice does not cover in-home respite care.
- Cost: This benefit is largely covered by the Hospice Benefit with a 5% daily coinsurance payment. The coinsurance amount may not be more than the inpatient hospital deductible for the year that the hospice coinsurance period began. This level of care includes room and board costs. Four Seasons can discuss this with you.
