Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit national health policy news service that is part of the nonpartisan Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation<\/p>\n
(By Judith Graham for Kaiser Health News)<\/p>\n
The decision came out of the blue. \u201cYour husband isn\u2019t going to get any better, so we can\u2019t continue services,\u201d an occupational therapist told Deloise \u201cDel\u201d Holloway in early November. \u201cMedicare isn\u2019t going to pay for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The therapist handed Del a notice explaining why the home health agency she represented was terminating care within 48 hours. \u201cAll teaching complete,\u201d it concluded. \u201cNo further hands on skilled care. Wife states she knows how to perform exercises.\u201d<\/p>\n
That came as a shock. In May 2017, at age 57, Anthony Holloway was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis): The Frederick, Maryland, man can\u2019t walk, get out of bed or breathe on his own (he\u2019s on a ventilator). He can\u2019t use the toilet, bathe or dress himself. Therapists had been helping Anthony maintain his strength, to the extent possible, for two years.\u00a0 Continue reading article here…<\/a><\/p>\n Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit national health policy news service that is part of the nonpartisan Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation<\/p>\n
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