Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

For hospice care of a patient with end-stage liver cancer, which Medicare part covers the treatment?

1. Medicare Part A

2. Medicare Part B

3. Medicare Part C

4. Medicare Part D

The correct answer is: Medicare Part A

In the context of hospice care for patients with terminal conditions such as end-stage liver cancer, Medicare Part A is the correct option. This part of Medicare primarily covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care (under certain conditions), home health care, and hospice care services. Hospice care under Medicare Part A includes a range of services specifically designed for individuals who are in the final stages of incurable illness. This may include medical care, counseling, medications related to the terminal condition, and necessary support for both the patient and their family, aimed at providing comfort rather than curative treatment. The other parts of Medicare serve different functions; for example, Medicare Part B typically covers outpatient care, preventive services, and physician's services, and Part D focuses on prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, incorporates both Part A and Part B services, but does not solely pertain to hospice care. Thus, Medicare Part A is the specific coverage relevant to hospice care for patients like those suffering from end-stage liver cancer.