Patient rights activist wins battle to die in hospice with bills reimbursed

"We strive to provide the highest level of customer service possible, and we expect that from all our employees," the letter continued. "We appreciate you taking your time to bring this matter to our attention. Information like this helps us improve the services we provide."

Thirty years ago, Chamberlin authored a seminal book touting patient control in mental health treatment. Late last year, as her lungs grew weak, Chamberlin decided to halt hospitalizations and instead receive home hospice care, which manages pain and emotional needs, but offers no curative treatment.

But United Healthcare informed Chamberlin, 64, in late April that she had "used up" all of her hospice coverage. That benefit is limited to $5,000 in the insurance plan Chamberlin has. The company told her she could file an appeal for an extension.

In her appeal, Chamberlin noted that it would be cheaper for the company to cover hospice than pay thousands of dollars each time she needs to be hospitalized. Chamberlin's doctor also attested to her medical need for hospice care.

As she waited weeks for the insurance company to decide her case, officials from a new hospice provider -- Arlington-based Visiting Nurse and Community Health -- read about her battle and offered to care for Chamberlin for free.

Chamberlin, who was having difficulty breathing and talking today, said she was relieved her insurance battle was over.