What is hospice care?

Hospice is a concept of care for patients, families, caregivers, and friends facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice care is provided by a physician-directed, nurse-coordinated, and volunteer-supported team of professionals who are committed to attending to the physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and their circle of support during the end-of-life journey. The hospice team works with the patient and their physician to provide a plan of care woven with the dignity of choice and power of love. Hospice does not hasten or delay death. Hospice focuses on controlling the patient's pain and symptoms, while helping family and friends cope with the stress and emotions a life-limiting illness can bring. In hospice, something else can always be done! Hospice honors a patient's advanced directives.

Will I be involved in my hospice care?

You are the center of the hospice team. Hospice services are designed around the identified needs of the patient, caregiver(s), and family members. Patients have a right and responsibility to make their care needs and service preferences known to their hospice team members. Your Plan of Care is the result of the priorities you identify, the informed choices you make, and the decisions you support.

Is hospice only for cancer patients?

Hospice services are available for any person with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis measured in months rather than years. Most hospice patients have a non-cancer diagnosis.

Is hospice a place?

Hospice is a model ofcare, defined by the unique provision of services delivered by a compassionate team of experts in end-of-life care, rather than a place . One of the greatest benefits in receiving hospice services is the choice in where services can be delivered. Hospice services are available wherever you call home (a house, nursing home, group home, an assisted living facility, etc.). In addition, hospices often have dedicated inpatient facilities and/or contract for inpatient level of care with a nursing home or hospital. This short term acute level of care is available only when a patient’s symptoms cannot be managed in a residential setting.

What if our physician doesn’t know about hospice?

Just call us. A hospice representative is always available to listen to you and arrange for one of our Hospice physicians to contact your doctor. Most physicians are familiar with hospice services, but may not be familiar with hospice protocols. Not every physician may be comfortable discussing end-of-life care options with a patient and family. Hospice can help.

Does a patient have to stay in the house all the time?

Hospice patients do not have to be bed-bound or house-bound. They can visit family and friends and attend to their affairs within the bounds of their energy and health. Hospice supports patient activity to promote the highest quality of life possible, every day a patient has to live.

What does the hospice admissions process involve?

The hospice admission process is all about you and your caregiver(s)- - listening to your concerns and learning how we can help you and your family feel more comfortable and at ease during the end of life journey. A hospice nurse will visit you to start the process of physical assessment, planning for care, and discussing what services will be most helpful. The hospice nurse will confer with your doctor and the hospice doctor to initiate services which you determine are beneficial. As in all healthcare settings, the hospice staff will verify your medical history and ask you to review and sign paperwork to complete the initial process. The hospice team members are experienced professionals who have a passion for delivering compassionate care. The hospice nurse will provide you with information about the hospice team members who will participate in your care. Hospice staff will be with you and your family members for the remainder of your stay with us.

Will somebody be here all the time?

Hospice services are based on your Plan of Care that is specifically designed to address the medical and psycho-social issues that you help identify. Hospice team members will develop a regular visit schedule with you and your caregivers. Your visit schedule is reviewed routinely by the hospice team. In the event that you desire or require additonal hours of care, the hospice team will help mobilize resources to keep you comfortable and to maintain your independence for as long as possible. As you develop a relationship with your hospice team members, you will gain confidence that you will be well cared for and supported always.

Who will visit me?

Hospice team members include physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, counselors, therapists, and volunteers. You and your caregiver(s) will determine who will visit you, how frequently, and when the visits will be made.

Can I still visit my Primary Care Physician?

Hospice encourages you to continue seeing your physician. Your physician is an integral part of the hospice team. Our Medical Directors and nursing staff will make regular reports to your physician to keep them informed of your progress

Will the doctor come to my house?

Hospice physicians do make home visits when there is a need and the patient’s attending physician is not available. Hospice physicians usually rely on the reports of the nursing staff and other hospice team members to describe changes in symptoms and other medical issues.

What if we change our mind?

Patients can revoke their election of hospice services by requesting and signing a revocation form. If you revoke your hospice election, you are immediately covered by your regular Medicare Benefits.

What will hospice services cost?

If you are eligible for Medicare Part A, Trigon, Veteran Benefits, or Medicaid Hospice Benefits (if your state provides this benefit), your hospice services are fully covered. You will never receive a bill. If you are not eligible for reimbursement under the Medicare or Medicaid Program and if you do not have insurance or any other coverage for hospice services, and if you have no ability to pay for hospice services, your hospice services will be provided without any cost to you or your family. Hospice social workers may perform a financial analysis to determine inability to pay.

Is hospice covered by insurance?

Hospice is fully covered by Medicare Part A. It is also covered by Medicaid in states that offer a Medicaid Hospice Benefit. Most insurance companies, PPO’s and HMO’s provide a hospice benefit. If a patient has no hospice reimbursement source and is not able to pay for hospice services, our hospice will provide care without charge.

Will my insurance cover hospice services and how much?

Each person’s insurance policy has specific coverage requirements. Most insurance policies cover hospice services Some policies limit coverage based upon a dollar amount or a number of days. Just one call to hospice and we will verify your hospice insurance benefits. Hospice will work with you and your insurance carrier to ensure that you will not suffer financial pain in order to receive the end-of-life services you deserve. Who will provide the medicine and how do I get my medications?

Hospice will provide for any medications related to the terminal illness and your comfort. Medications are ordered through a hospice contracted pharmacy and delivered to you at your place of residence. If you live in a nursing facility, medication delivery will be arranged through the hospice and the facility. How long will hospice provide services?

Hospice services are designed to serve patients with a prognosis of six months or less, providing the disease process follows its normal course. As long as a patient’s prognosis is limited and the patient’s disease process is untreatable, hospice will continue to provide services.

What if the patient gets better?

If a patient experiences remission or if a patient’s disease process and prognosis improves to a point where life is measured in years instead of months, hospice will discharge the patient. A patient may be re-admitted to the hospice program when the disease process deteriorates and their prognosis once again makes them eligible for hospice services.

What if the patient needs intensive care?

While there is no level of service in hospice called ‘intensive care’, if a patient’s symptoms cannot be managed through regular, routine team visits, then hospice will discuss alternatives for care. The patient may be cared for in their residence or a facility staffed to monitor the patient on a 24 hour basis. This level of care is available to a hospice patient until the patient’s symptoms are under control.

Are you open 24/7?

Yes, we are always only a phone call away. Hospices are required to provide patients and family members access to medical and counseling services 24/7 based on a patient’s symptoms and psycho-social needs. You will be provided one number to call with any questions or concerns that you may have after hours or during the weekend.

What do I do if a patient for whom I am caring needs to go to the Hospital?

Just call hospice. A nurse will assess the patient’s situation and help you make a decision about what to do next. If the situation warrants, the nurse will consult with the hospice physician and arrange transportation to a hospice inpatient unit or to a contract facility that can deliver hospice inpatient services to your loved one.

How do I know when the patient is actively dying?

Your hospice team will help you prepare for and provide you the information needed to know when your loved one is actively dying. The hospice staff will support you in your role as a caregiver.

What if I need to take a vacation?

Hospice provides respite care for up to five days periodically for Medicare and Medicaid patients. This benefit provides the ability for a family to take a break from care giving.