Financial Coverage
BridgingLife, formerly Carroll Hospice, is a non-profit organization that provides hospice care and services to all individuals in need. Regardless of insurance coverage or financial situation, no one is refused or denied hospice care and every patient receives the same level of high-quality service.
Initially, BridgingLife assists families in determining whether or not the patient is eligible for any medical or insurance coverage. Hospice coverage is widely available and is covered by most private insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid and VA.
If a person in need does not have any financial coverage, BridgingLife will work with each family on a case-by-case basis. In addition, BridgingLife will handle all of the billing of services and supplies as they relate to the terminal diagnosis.
Medicare Hospice Benefit
The Medicare/Medicaid Hospice benefit provides supplies and medications needed to manage a terminal illness. This benefit is primarily a comprehensive hospice care program that provides medical and support services for the management of a life-limiting illness, including symptom and pain management, but does not provide for curative treatment.
When a patient elects hospice care under Medicare coverage, he or she switches from standard Medicare coverage to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. A patient with an incurable illness is not allowed to be covered by both plans at the same time. However, a patient may revoke the hospice benefit at any time and return to standard Medicare. The Medicare Hospice Benefit is divided into two 90 day periods of coverage followed by an unlimited number of 60 day periods.
If you would like more information on hospice costs, availability, and coverage, please contact us at 410-871-8000, or visit the Medicare website directly.
Notice of the Availability of Charity Care
BridgingLife makes hospice care available to all patients who live in the jurisdictions served by BridgingLife regardless of their ability to pay.
BridgingLife provides hospice care at no cost to eligible patients for whom there is no means of payment by the patient or a third party payor (such as an insurance company or Medical Assistance) and whose household income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the patient’s family size.
BridgingLife provides hospice care at a discount to eligible patients of limited means whose household income is between 300% and 375% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the patient’s family size, based on a sliding scale. BridgingLife also offers a time payment plan which allows eligible patients to pay their billed charges over time.
Within two business days of a patient’s request for charity care, application for Medicaid, or both, BridgingLife will make a determination of probable eligibility and will communicate that determination to the patient. After making a determination of probable eligibility, BridgingLife will make a final determination of the patient’s eligibility for charity care, which will be based on a completed Maryland State Uniform Financial Assistance Application and supporting documentation from the patient.
If you would like to review a complete copy of BridgingLife's Charity Care Policy (including a copy of the application form), it is posted at at BridgingLife’s adminsitrative office at 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster MD 21157.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about the Charity Care Policy, please contact BridgingLife at 410-871-8000.