Medicare Care Choices Model

May 31, 2017

Living as well as possible can be difficult with a serious illness. The Medicare Care Choices Model is a demonstration project through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Care Choices provides a new option for Medicare beneficiaries with specific diagnoses to receive hospice-like support services from participating hospice providers while also receiving curative care and treatments. The goal is to evaluate whether these supportive services that are provided can help improve the quality of life and care received by Medicare beneficiaries, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce Medicare costs.

Potential patients must be living with one of the following illnesses: advanced cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or HIV/AIDS. There are additional eligibility criteria that a potential patient must meet, and we can help determine if you or a loved one might qualify. The same hospice services, such as visits from a nurse, social worker or spiritual counselor, are offered to patients enrolled in this model.

Care Choices can help patients and caregivers:

  • Control symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety
  • Talk about their healthcare wishes
  • Be in touch with their multiple doctors to make sure everyone is on the same page
  • Make referrals to and work with other local resources that can help
  • Live at home for as long as possible
  • By being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if you have questions or need help

To see more detailed information on the Care Choices project through Iowa City Hospice, including eligibility criteria, visit our Care Choices page.

To see more information on Care Choices from CMS, visit their website.

We encourage anyone – patients, family members, clergy, friends, or medical professionals – to contact us to learn more about Care Choices. Call us at 319-351-5665!