Hospice services are available to patients with terminal illnesses. A physician assesses the patient's life expectancy, typically determining it to be six months or less if the disease progresses as expected. The patient must meet Medicare's specific criteria related to their illness.

Medicare pays 100% of the cost of hospice services for eligible patients.

Medicare is available to everyone over 65, but you can qualify earlier if you have a disability or certain conditions such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We can help you determine whether you meet coverage criteria.

Patients are initially eligible for two 90-day benefit periods, followed by unlimited 60-day benefit periods, and have the right to switch hospice providers once during each benefit period.

Certification by the hospice doctor or the regular physician is required to initiate each benefit period, reaffirming the patient's terminal illness status.

Subsequent benefit periods require recertification by either the hospice medical director or another designated doctor to continue receiving hospice care.

Your hospice team tailors a comprehensive care plan to your specific needs, offering a range of supportive services, including:

• Doctor consultations and medical services.

• Nursing care and medical equipment for pain management and symptom relief.

• Essential medical supplies such as bandages or catheters.

• Prescription drugs for pain management.

• Assistance and homemaker services.

• Care placement, meaning we can help find the right environment to receive care in.

• Rehabilitation services including; physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

• Social services to address emotional and practical needs.

• Dietary counseling for optimal nutrition.

• Spiritual and grief counseling for both you and your family.

• Short-term inpatient care for intensive symptom management in a Medicare-approved facility.

• Inpatient respite care allowing your primary caregiver to rest, arranged by your hospice provider, with stays of up to 5 days each time.

• Any other Medicare-covered services recommended by your hospice team to address pain and symptoms related to your terminal illness and associated conditions.

Anyone can request a hospice evaluation at no cost. A physician may refer or present options to the patient and family, certifying the patient's eligibility. Once referred, the hospice team arranges a meeting to evaluate the patient, address queries, and develop a personalized care plan.

A person can withdraw from hospice care for various reasons, such as resuming aggressive treatment or experiencing improved symptoms. Hospice discharges patients whose condition no longer qualifies as terminal but they can return if needed, as long as their doctor recertifies their eligibility.

Hospice is for individuals with a limited life expectancy, determined by a doctor to be within the next six months. This doesn’t mean the patient will pass away within that timeframe but acknowledges the realistic possibility given the patient's condition.

Hospice patients may continue seeing their primary care physician (PCP). Hospice physicians collaborate with the PCP to ensure comprehensive care aligns with the patient's needs and preferences. Permission from the hospice provider is required for visits to other physicians or specialists for terminal condition-related care.

Though hospice aims to manage symptoms outside hospital settings, patients can seek hospital care. The Medicare hospice benefit covers short-term hospitalization for symptom management when necessary.

The hospice nurse collaborates with the patient and family to devise a care plan, determining the frequency of visits based on the patient's needs. Additional visits are accommodated as necessary, with staff available 24/7.

Deciding to move into hospice care is a deeply personal choice that usually involves conversations with healthcare providers, family members, and close friends. It's crucial to take into account the patient's aspirations, beliefs, and care preferences. Our team is available to offer information, support, and advice as you navigate this process.

Hospice becomes a consideration when the challenges of treatment surpass the benefits or when a patient has experienced significant decline and numerous hospitalizations over recent months. Other signs may include:

• Frequent trips to the emergency room (ER)

• Persistent, unmanageable pain

• Recurrent infections

• A sudden or gradual decline in physical abilities and appetite

• Weight loss or difficulty swallowing

• Shortness of breath or oxygen dependence

Absolutely, patients retain the right to revoke hospice care at any point and opt for curative treatments if they desire. Our team will guide you in making choices that resonate with your care goals and preferences, whether that entails continuing with hospice care or exploring alternative avenues.

Hospice steps in when conventional treatments are no longer viable, offering comfort, peace, and dignity without curative measures. It's about enhancing quality of life, free from pain and surrounded by loved ones.