On advanced directives, hospice care and avoiding scams
August 6, 2019
By: Mark Harvey
Email: harvemb@dshs.wa.gov
OK, I guess it’s time to clean up my act (Don’t say it!) by cleaning out my “miscellaneous” file; remember, “miscellaneous” does NOT mean “unimportant!” – It just means a potpourri, if you will, of this-n-that; so, let’s begin with a “this:”
Not long ago, I shared a remarkable column on ways to deal with, and try to understand, symptoms of Alzheimer’s, or any other kind of dementia. A very sharp reader was kind enough to share a very important web site; specifically https://endoflifewa.org/alzheimers-diseasedementia-advance-directive .
What you’ll find there is information on creating an advance directive on behalf of folks who are headed down that road – A Washington State original! If you live in that world, you will come to understand how critically important such a document could be.
If you live in that world, I hope you’ll take the time that you probably don’t have to go have a look. It will be worth the doing.
Here’s a “that:” A while back, I did a column on the newly created “Long-Term Care Trust Act,” another Washington State original. I’m not going to reprise the whole thing again here, because that would constitute a foray into the “Department of Redundancy Department.” Suffice it to say, I made an error – I know, it took my breath away, too!
But, it’s true. In that column, I expressed the opinion that spouses would probably NOT be allowed to be paid caregivers, because that is the reality I know in the Medicaid world – WRONG! Spouses will be allowed as paid caregivers! Yay! Hope springs!
And a “this,” for multiple emailers who have inquired about eligibility for hospice services: The main criteria is a diagnosis of a condition that is expected to result in a life expectance of 6 months or less, as certified by a doctor. The question of ten posed is, “What if I (he, she) don’t die…?” Let me assure you, you will NOT be required to die! In fact, it is not unusual, in the hospice world, for folks to rally as a result of the good care they receive, get a bit better, and go off hospice. We like that! If things go downhill, you can always go back on hospice. NOTE: The biggest mistake that we tend to make, in these situations, is that we wait too long to begin hospice services! And don’t worry: hospice services do not invite, or hasten, death – They celebrate life.
The rest of these are about the Bad Guys, so feel free to roll your eyes and shake your heads:
- I hope you’ve heard of the “Medicare Genetic Testing” scam that’s all the rage. These are, often, set up in public places and go like this: The evil-doer offers free cheek swabs for DNA or genetic testing to Medicare beneficiaries. They ask beneficiaries to provide their Medicare number, as well as other identifying info, before providing said “free” kits. In some instances, the scammer submits a fraudulent claim to Medicare for reimbursement, but not always – Either way, the Bad Guy has enough of your info to do some serious harm. The fact is that Medicare can cover genetic testing, but only when the beneficiary has an order from a doctor and the test is medically necessary.
- A variation on this theme can be found in the “Free Cancer Test Kit” scam. In this one, the beneficiary gets a cold-call saying that she/he is eligible – Through Medicare! – For a free cancer screening test and that a swab would be mailed to him/her. All she/he need do is provide the requisite personal information plus a Medicare number. VOILA! No test kit, MUCH harm. Same drill as above: Yes, Medicare may well cover cancer screening, assuming that a doc says so AND it’s medically necessary; otherwise, forget it.
- Speaking of cold-calls, my phone rang yesterday and, in what can only be described as an epic lack of judgment, I answered it. A metallic-sounding voice informed me that my Social Security number had been “compromised,” and that I could “…call the investigating officer at 220…” at which point I terminated the call by LOUDLY recommending an anatomically impossible act! I realize that my less-than-sophisticated epithet had no effect on the recording, but it SURE AS HELL made me feel better!
Mark Harvey is the director of Information and Assistance for Olympic Area Agency on Aging. He can be reached at harvemb@dshs.wa.gov or 532-0520 in Aberdeen, (360) 942-2177 in Raymond or (360) 642-3634. FACEBOOK: Olympic Area Agency on Aging-Information & Assistance.