FAQ’s

• + What Is Hospice Care?

  Hospice care is a specialized type of care focused on comfort and quality of life for individuals facing a life-limiting illness. Instead of seeking a cure, hospice emphasizes pain management, emotional support, and dignity during the final stages of life.

  Care is most often provided in the patient’s home, but can also take place in hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities. Hospice is available to individuals of any age, background, or illness and is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, and HMOs.

• + How Does Hospice Care Work?

  Hospice care is a team-based approach that provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to both patients and their families.

  Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver, supported by a dedicated hospice team. This team visits regularly to assess needs, provide care, and is available by phone 24/7. A personalized care plan is created for each patient, focusing on pain control and symptom management, while also offering education and relief for caregivers.

• + Who Is Part of the Hospice Care Team?

  The hospice care team is made up of professionals and trained volunteers who work together to meet the needs of the patient and their family. The team may include:

  • Hospice physicians or medical director
  • Registered and licensed nurses
  • Certified hospice aides
  • Social workers
  • Chaplains or spiritual counselors
  • Bereavement counselors
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapists
  • Trained volunteers
• + What Services Does Hospice Provide?

  Hospice offers a wide range of services designed to support the patient and their loved ones. These include:

  • Managing pain and other distressing symptoms
  • Providing emotional and spiritual support
  • Supplying medications, medical equipment, and supplies
  • Educating and guiding caregivers
  • Offering therapies such as physical, speech, and occupational therapy
  • Access to music, art, or alternative therapies
  • Short-term inpatient care for symptom management or caregiver respite
  • Ongoing grief support and counseling for families after a loss
• + Who Qualifies for Hospice?

  Hospice care is available to individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less, if the illness follows its usual course.

  Patients do not need to be in the final days of life to benefit from hospice—many experience improved quality of life and greater comfort for weeks or months. Hospice treats the patient and their family as a unit of care, offering support for everyone involved.

• + How Is Hospice Paid For?

  The cost of hospice care is most commonly covered by:

  • Medicare Hospice Benefit
  • Medicaid (in most states and D.C.)
  • Most private health insurance plans and HMOs

  These programs typically cover all hospice-related services with little or no out-of-pocket cost to the patient or family, removing the financial burden during a difficult time.

• + Where Is Hospice Care Provided?

  Hospice care is provided wherever the patient calls “home.” This could include:

  • Their own home
  • A family member’s home
  • Nursing homes
  • Assisted living communities
  • Hospitals
  • Hospice residential centers

  The goal is to make the patient as comfortable as possible in a familiar, supportive environment.

NLHC FAQ 2.

• + Can I Go to the Hospital While on Hospice?

  Short answer: Yes, you can still go to the hospital while on hospice care.

  How It Works

  • Hospice care focuses on comfort, pain relief, and quality of life — not curative treatment.
  • You can always choose to go to the hospital, but the reason for going determines how it’s handled.
  • Most symptoms can be treated at home by the specialized hospice care team.

  1. If It’s Related to Your Hospice Diagnosis
     • The hospice team (nurse, doctor, aides) usually manages symptoms at home.
     • Hospice typically does not cover hospital treatments aimed at curing the illness.
     • Example: If you’re on hospice for heart failure and your symptoms worsen, hospice would treat that at home.
  2. If It’s for an Unrelated Issue

     If you go to the hospital for something not connected to your hospice diagnosis (like an injury), Medicare or insurance may cover it separately.

  3. If You Want Curative Treatment Again
     • You can revoke hospice care at any time to receive full hospital treatment.
     • You can re-enroll in hospice later when you choose comfort-focused care again.
  4. In an Emergency
     • Hospice nurses can guide you on whether hospital transport makes sense.
     • If you call 911, paramedics must follow standard emergency protocols unless clear hospice orders or a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) are in place.

  Key Takeaway

  As a patient in hospice, your care plan focuses on comfort first. Hospital visits are typically for issues outside your hospice diagnosis or made by personal choice.

• + Can I Keep My Primary Care Physician While on Hospice?

  Yes, in most cases, you can keep your primary care physician (PCP) when you start hospice care. How this works depends on your preferences and your doctor’s involvement.

  1. Choosing Your Attending Physician

     When you enroll in hospice, you’ll be asked to name an attending physician — the doctor who will oversee your care.

     • You can choose your PCP as your attending physician if they agree to work with the hospice team.
     • Alternatively, you can select the hospice medical director or one of the hospice doctors to take that role.
     • Your PCP can still stay informed and involved, even if they’re not the official attending physician.
  2. How Medicare and Insurance Handle It
     • If you’re using the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicare covers the hospice physician’s services for your terminal diagnosis.
     • If your PCP continues to provide related care, the hospice team will help coordinate billing so everything is covered correctly.
  3. Communication Is Key

     Tell both your hospice agency and PCP your preference. If your PCP agrees to be the attending physician, the hospice team will help set up that arrangement and ensure everyone works together for a smooth transition.

• + Can I Still See My Specialists While on Hospice?

  When you choose hospice care, the focus shifts from curing an illness to providing comfort and quality of life. Many people wonder if they can still see their specialists — and the short answer is yes, but it depends on your situation and coverage.

  Hospice and Specialist Care

  If the visit is related to your hospice diagnosis:

  • Hospice manages and coordinates all care related to your terminal illness.
  • Your hospice team (including doctors, nurses, and other specialists) provides treatment and support for these needs.

  If the visit is for an unrelated condition:

  • You may continue seeing specialists for health issues not related to your hospice diagnosis.
  • These visits are usually covered by Medicare Part B or your private insurance, not by hospice.
  • Examples: Seeing a dermatologist for eczema or an eye doctor for glaucoma.

  Changing or Pausing Hospice Care

  You always have the right to:

  • Revoke hospice temporarily if you wish to pursue curative treatment or specialist care.
  • Re-enroll in hospice later when you choose to focus again on comfort care.

  Tips for Managing Care

  Talk with your hospice nurse or social worker — they can help coordinate any outside care and explain coverage.

  Key Takeaway

  You can continue to see specialists while on hospice — but typically, this is for conditions not related to your primary hospice diagnosis.

• + What Happens When My Loved One Passes While on Hospice?

  Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience, and hospice is designed to provide support during this time. Here’s what typically happens when a loved one passes while under hospice care.

  1. Immediate Steps After Passing

     Hospice teams are trained to handle end-of-life situations. The immediate steps often include:

     • Confirmation of Death: A hospice nurse or attending physician will officially confirm the death.
     • Documentation: The nurse completes forms noting the time of death and other necessary medical information.
     • Notification of Authorities: In certain regions, local authorities may need to be notified if the death meets specific criteria.
  2. Hospice Support

     Hospice provides both practical and emotional support to families:

     • Nurse or Aide Visits: The hospice nurse will remain for a period to help with post-death care, answer questions, and facilitate the equipment transfer process.
     • Emotional Support: Social workers and chaplains are available for immediate support.
     • Guidance: Hospice staff will guide families through funeral arrangements, contacting funeral homes, and handling medications or personal belongings.
  3. After the Pronouncement

     Once the death is confirmed:

     • Funeral Home Arrangements: Hospice can help coordinate with your chosen funeral home or recommend options.
     • Final Documentation: Hospice completes the death certificate and submits required forms to insurance or government agencies.
  4. Grief and Bereavement Services

     Hospice often provides support beyond the moment of death:

     • Counseling: Individual or group grief counseling is available.
     • Bereavement Follow-Up: Hospice programs continue support for up to 12 months after the death.
     • Resources: Guidance on coping strategies, paperwork, and connecting with community support.
  5. Practical Considerations

     Hospice can assist with everyday matters that follow a death:

     • Medication Disposal: Proper guidance for any remaining medications.
     • Equipment Removal: Facilitate scheduling for equipment transfer back to the provider.
     • Financial Matters: Advice on final claims and insurance paperwork.

  Hospice ensures families are supported through every step of the process, from the final moments to the grieving period that follows. You won’t be alone navigating these difficult times.