Which statement about hospice care is true for reimbursement eligibility?

• A. Dying patients at home or in-patient
• B. Nurses, Social Workers, Chaplains, Volunteers, Doctors
• C. Medicare and Medicaid require that at least 80% of hospice care be provided at home
• D. Eligibility for reimbursement includes: Medicare eligibility, certification by physician for terminal illness (less than or equal to 6 months of life)

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that hospice reimbursement hinges on official eligibility for the benefit, not on where care is given or who provides it. To qualify for hospice coverage, the patient must be eligible for Medicare (or Medicaid) benefits and have a physician certify a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course. When these conditions are met and the patient elects hospice, covered services can be provided, including medical, nursing, social work, chaplain, and home-based support. The other statements describe aspects of hospice care (setting, team, or a presumed home-care percentage rule) but do not define eligibility for reimbursement.