What Hospice Is
Hospice is a program designed to meet the special physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families.

Hospice provides skilled nursing, pain and symptom control, counseling and practical home care. An interdisciplinary team of professionals who take a holistic approach to the patient's care provides these services.

Hospice exists to provide support to and care for individuals with life-limiting conditions so they might live as fully and comfortably as possible. Emphasis is placed on the quality of life rather than on extending life by any means.

The concept of Hospice is broad. The purpose is to improve the quality of patient and/or family life by alleviating pain and recognizing that dying patients and their loved ones have special needs different from those whose treatment is designed to achieve a cure.

Payment for Hospice Care
For patients meeting hospice admission criteria, reimbursement options include:

• Medicare Hospice benefit*
• Medicaid Hospice benefit*
• Insurance (most insurance companies have a Hospice benefit or will negotiate for this coverage)
• Private Pay

*Benefits include 100% coverage for medical equipment, supplies and medications related to the life-limiting illness.

Qualifying for Hospice Care
Any patient with a life-limiting illness whose life expectancy is measured in months versus years is appropriate for hospice.

Hospice care is available to patients living at home, assisted living or in a facility