What is Hospice?

What Is Hospice?

Hospice is a philosophy of care that focuses on enhancing quality of life for individuals with a life-limiting illness. Rather than seeking to cure the underlying disease, hospice care emphasizes comfort, dignity, and support—addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of both patients and their families. This holistic approach is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, all working together to provide compassionate, personalized care during the final stages of life.

Common Hospice Indicators:

  • Diagnosis of a serious or life-limiting illness
  • Curative treatment is no longer an option, or not being pursued - focus shifts to comfort & quality of life
  • Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits
  • Decline in functional status
  • Increased care needs
  • Unintentional weight loss/loss of appetite
  • Recurrent infections
  • Progressive weakness or pain
  • Increased lethargy/sleeping more
  • Unmanageable symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, depression)

Services & Support

  • Expert symptom management (pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety)
  • Interdisciplinary team: RN case manager, aides, social worker, chaplain, massage therapist, medical director and volunteers
  • Medications, supplies, and equipment related to the hospice diagnosis
  • Personalized plan of care to honor the patient's goals, wishes, and choices for their life
  • Bereavement support for up to 18 months following death

Coverage & Cost

Hospice care is a benefit provided under Medicare Part A. It is also covered by Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and most private insurance plans for eligible patients.

Coverage includes clinical visits, medications, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment directly related to the hospice diagnosis.

Our dedicated team of professionals will verify your benefits and explain any potential anticipated out-of-pocket costs or non-covered supplies.

How Do I Start Hopsice Care?

Am I Eligible? Referral

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A patient can receive hospice care wherever they call “home.” This can be a private residence, a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living facility, a residential facility or a hospital.

Scheduled visits occur Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm, but we are available 24/7 for emergent needs. If more hands or caregivers are needed for patient care in the home, our team can assist with recommending companies that provide hourly or daily “private duty” care.

  • Curative treatments are no longer effective and may even be negatively affecting quality of life
  • Inability to control pain
  • Frequent trips to the hospital
  • Unintended weight loss and/or difficulty swallowing
  • Not eating or drinking
  • Oxygen dependence
  • Frequent falls
  • Frequent infection
  • Withdrawal from daily activities

Medicare Part A covers 100% of hospice services. Most hospice companies work with Medicaid, private insurances, and provide financial assistance programs as well.

Evaluating the patient is the first step. A patient, family, or healthcare provider can request an evaluation from a hospice provider. A doctor’s order is then obtained to allow for the evaluation and possible admission. The patient/family signs consent forms, and once a qualified hospice medical professional has evaluated the patient and deemed them appropriate for hospice, the hospice provider will initiate the steps to activate a plan of care.

Yes, your input is a guiding force behind developing the most effective care plan for your loved one. We are here to walk beside you, educate you and provide comfort. If at any time you feel that you no longer want to receive hospice services, you can elect to discharge from service or switch companies. The patient/family’s rights and wishes are our first priority.

A member of the hospice team will be educating the patient/family along the journey to ensure they recognize the different phases of the dying process. Ideally, a hospice professional will be at the bedside during the last moments of life. Once the patient has passed, the hospice team will prepare the body and make necessary phone calls, while supporting the family.

Along with the team of professionals seeing your loved one routinely, hospice also covers the following:
  • Medication related to the terminal illness/hospice diagnosis
  • Medical equipment the patient may need for comfort and safety
  • Supplies related to the direct care of the patient