Hospice Care is covered by most insurers, Including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross /Blue Shield and most private insurers and HMOs. Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare for people who have a life expectancy of six months or less.
How does Hospice Works?
• Hospice offers high quality, compassionate care to persons who can no longer benefit from curative treatment.
What is Hospice?
| HOSPICE IS NOT: | HOSPICE IS: |
| Hospice is NOT a place, like a hospital. | Hospice IS a way of providing care Wherever the patient is – at home, assisted living or nursing home. |
| Hospice is NOT a place to send people to die. | Hospice IS a way of helping people to live the remaining time of their lives with as much comfort as possible. |
| Hospice is NOT a “death bed” service for people in the last 48 hours of life. | Hospice IS a comprehensive care program for patients and families that emphasizes quality of life and is most effective during the final 6 months of life expectancy. |
| Hospice is NOT a place to send dying patients to get them out of the way. | Hospice IS a care system that is committed to the provision of support to patients and families to help families deal with the stress of caring for a dying member, and to assist families through the time of bereavement. |
| Hospice is NOT for everyone | Hospice Is a system of care that is chosen by some patients and families because it helps them meet their own goals and is consistent with their values and concerns. Hospice IS available to patients of |
| Hospice is NOT just for cancer patients | Hospice IS available to patients of any age, race sex, or religion. |
While each hospice has its own policies concerning payment for care, it is a founding principle of hospice to offer services based upon need, rather than ability to pay.
• The typical hospice patient has a life expectancy of six months or less.
• Services are provided by a team of trained professionals that includes: physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, therapists, chaplains aides, and volunteers.
• The patient is usually referred to hospice by their primary physician but referrals can also be made by family members, friends, clergy or health professionals.
