9. What healthcare coverage does the patient have?

• Is the parent over age 65?
• Is the parent on disability?
• Is the parent on Medicare?
• If so, is there a Medicare Gap policy?
• Does the parent have private health insurance?
• Does the parent have a drug prescription plan?
• Will he be eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan which began in 2006?
• Does he have a vision plan?
• Does he have a hearing-aid plan?
• Do you know if he has coverage for healthcare equipment, i.e.
  1. canes,
  2. wheelchairs,
  3. walkers,
  4. breathing machines,
  5. hospital beds, etc.
• Are there restrictions for at-home healthcare?
• Is there coverage for an ambulance?
• Do you know what the restrictions are for hospitalization and rooms, procedures, medications?
• Does the parent have just one doctor, or are there several he goes to for specialist care?

You will need to carefully review all healthcare plans to fully understand what coverage the parent holds. You will need to have available to you:

• his member numbers or identification numbers,
• the telephone numbers for all plans, and
• the insurance policy numbers for all plans.

If the parent has at-home health care, do you know:

• how the policy works,
• if there is a daily coverage allowance,
• if Medicare approved Assistants or Nurses are required,
• if there is an annual or lifetime limit for care, and
• if the parent is eligible for assistance only after a hospitalization, or at any time when either 2 or 3 or more physical functions require assistance?

CONTINUED: '10. Are you familiar with the parent’s financial situation?'

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