What Is Hospice?
Hospice is not a
place, but a way of caring for patients that
encourages their fullest participation in life until
death occurs. Hospice care is provided by
physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and
members of the clergy and volunteers, working
together as a team. Hospice extends physical,
emotional and spiritual support to patients and
their families. During the illness it also provides
bereavement support to family members after a
patient's death.
Hospice care is
frequently provided in the patient’s home, where
team members assist family and friends in the care
of the patient. Hospice care is also available in
many hospitals and nursing homes. The goal of
hospice, where it is found, is to support the
patient, family, and friends so that everyone can
live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Back To The Top
Does Insurance
Cover Hospice Care?
Medicare covers
hospice care. More detail about the Medicare Hospice
benefit is available from the Network or your local
hospice program.
Many private
insurance companies are now including hospice care
as a benefit. It is important for you to call your
claims agent for specifics about your policy. You
might want to ask your claims agent to send you a
copy of any materials which outline your benefits.
Sometimes explaining your situation to the claims
agent is helpful. A hospice team member will help
you understand your insurance coverage.
Back To The Top
When Do I Need
Hospice?
Hospice care can
begin when curative treatment is no longer expected
to be effective. All hospice programs in Maryland
have admission guidelines. Ask your hospice to share
these with you. Generally most hospices expect that:
|
• |
The
patient has a medical diagnosis of an
“end-stage disease”. This means the
attending physician has determined, with the
patient/family, that nothing more is planned
to cure the patient’s disease. |
|
• |
The
patient has a life expectancy that is
measured in months. |
|
• |
The
patient/family is ready for comfort care and
ready to cease aggressive treatment aimed
toward cure. |
|
• |
There is
a primary caregiver who is available to take
care of the patient. The primary caregiver
may be an individual family member, friend,
or hired companion who accepts the 24-hour
responsibility for the patient. This is
especially important as the patient begins
to require more care and supervision. |
|
• |
The
patient has an attending physician who is
willing to certify the patient’s diagnosis
and prognosis and who is willing to work
with the hospice team. |
|
• |
The
patient lives within the geographic location
served by the local hospice program. |
|
• |
Medical Director:
Serves as consultant to the team as well as
to the patient’s personal physician |
|
• |
Nurses:
Provide coordination of all care provided to
the patient; are experts in the areas of
pain control, symptom management, emotional
counseling, teaching and support; arrange
for and supervise additional help; assist
with obtaining appropriate supplies and
equipment. |
|
• |
Social Workers:
Provide emotional and psychological support
for patients and families as needed; explain
insurance coverage, explore financial
assistance and assist with the use of
community resources. |
|
• |
Clergy:
Available to the patient and family as
desired; contact the patient/family’s clergy
as needed. |
|
• |
Volunteers:
Provide companionship; do shopping and
errands; provide relief for the primary care
giver(s). |
|
• |
Home Health Aides:
Are good listeners; provide personal care to
the patients. |
|
• |
Therapists:
Occupational, speech, and physical therapies
are available to all as needed. |
|
• |
Bereavement Counselors:
Families and friends can receive bereavement
services through the hospice program months
after the death of the patient. This assures
the family of support through the major
holidays and anniversaries during the
following year. |
Questions To Ask
In considering
hospice for yourself or a loved one, it may be
helpful to ask some or all of the following
questions. The answers may help you to better
understand your needs and your local hospice program
and the special services it can offer you.
Questions To Ask Yourself:
|
Do we
need help and support in caring for a
family member with a terminal illness? |
|
How
do we feel about hospice? |
|
How
does our doctor feel about hospice? |
|
What
are our alternatives? |
Questions To Ask Your Local Hospice Program
|
Do we
meet your criteria for admission? |
|
Do
you have someone who can explain our
insurance coverage? |
|
Is
your program Medicare certified? |
|
Are
we eligible for the Hospice Medicare
Benefit? |
|
Do
you provide a written list of charges
for services not covered by insurance? |
|
Will
we be expected to pay for services not
covered by insurance? |
|
Do
you have a 24-hour on-call service 7
days a week including holidays? |
|
How
will you help our family? |
|
Will
we have input into the care plan? |
|
What
if there is no primary care person? |
|
What
do you do to manage pain? |
|
What
if the patient needs to go to the
hospital? |
|
Can
we leave the hospice program if the
patient decided to resume aggressive
treatment? |
|
If we
leave the hospice program can we return
at a later time? |
|
Will
you involve our clergy? |
|
Do
you have a chaplain if we need one? |
|
What
services do volunteers provide? |
|
Do
you provide respite care if we need it? |
|
What
if we don’t want death to occur at home? |
|
Do
you provide bereavement support? |
Back To The Top
