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Specialty Care Hospice

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is hospice?
    Like the primary care provider, cardiologist, hospital, and rehabilitation center, hospice is a healthcare system category. Hospice provides medical care and healthcare oversight to people with conditions that do not improve. For example, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, heart disease, advanced kidney diseases, and a myriad of conditions.
    Is hospice a place?
    Hospice is not a place. Hospice care is provided wherever the person calls home. This includes the person's private home or the home of a loved one, memory care, assisted living, personal care, or group home, as well as indigent people. 
    What types of care does hospice provide?

    Hospice provides: 

    1. Palliative Care: care to relieve uncomfortable symptoms that negatively affect a person's ability to function on a daily basis. Palliative care includes physician and skilled nursing services, symptom relief with medications, individualized therapies, and hands-on assistance with activities of daily living.
    2. Counseling: professional counseling to address the person's and family's spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs. 
    3. Social Services: support to navigate supportive services to resolve social challenges that impede care. For example, options for long-term care, accessing elder care or VA benefits,  meals on wheels, and funeral arrangements. 


    Who qualifies for hospice care?
    Hospice care is appropriate for people who meet the following criteria:
    1. They have a qualifying diagnosis
    2. There is evidence that the disease has progressed to the end-stage
    3. The person is either not receiving aggressive care for that diagnosis or would not receive aggressive care if they developed another life-threatening condition
    Who pays for hospice care?

    Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover hospice care with no out-of-pocket expense to the insured person. Some private or commercial insurance plans have deductible requirements that have to be met before hospice care is covered. During registration, you will be notified of any out-of-pocket expenses before starting services. 

    When should someone choose hospice care?

    A person should choose hospice care when facing a complex or terminal illness and no longer interested in receiving aggressive treatment.

    Is choosing hospice a permanent choice?
    What type of care will hospice provide?
    Can I see other doctors or go to the hospital while on hospice?

    Yes.

    Does hospice help with supplies, medication, and equipment?
    Yes. Hospice provides, at no cost, supplies for incontinence - disposable briefs, wipes, gloves - ostomies, wounds, urinary catheters, skin maintenance, and personal hygiene. 

    Hospice also pays for medicine related to the person’s disease and comfort. This includes antibiotics, antidepressants, appetite stimulants, mood and anxiety medicine, pain, and other symptoms based on the person's condition. 

    Hospice provides equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, Geri chairs, oxygen, suction, mechanical lifts, shower chair, etc.  

    Pharmacy and equipment services are available 24/7 and will be delivered directly to the person's home. 
    What if my condition improves?

    If your condition improves and no longer meets the criteria for hospice care, the hospice team will help you select a provider to receive care from. In most cases, patients return to their former provider with the support of a palliative care team.

    How is hospice care regulated?

    Hospice care is regulated by federal and state laws.

    How often will the hospice team visit?

    The hospice CNA will visit 1-5 times per week to assist with activities of daily living based on the care plan. 

    The hospice LPN will visit 1-2 times per week to perform skilled nursing care under the direction of the RN. 

    The hospice RN will routinely visit at least once a month. Additionally, an on-call RN is available after 5pm, on weekends and holidays to respond to care needs. 

    The hospice physician and nurse practitioner are available 24/7, and will visit every 60 days, and on an as-needed basis. 

    What is required to start hospice care?
    1. An order to "evaluate and admit to hospice if appropriate" is required from your current physician. 
    2. Medical records identifying the eligible diagnosis.
    3. A primary caregiver. This can be a spouse, relative, medical power of attorney, guardian, or another person appointed to make health decisions.