Hospice Care Information
 

Hospice Care Information

click the phrase below for further information about Hospice

For Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Care 

For Recommended Reading

For Online Publications  

For Links to Hospice Care Information 

If you have more questions, please contact

the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland at 410-729-4571.


The Hospice Network of Maryland

408 Headquarters Drive, Suite 3H · Millersville, MD 21108

Phone 410-729-4571 · FAX 410-729-4574

Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Care

 


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.

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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.

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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.

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What Services Does Hospice Provide?

Hospice provides a comprehensive support system using an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals. All team members work closely with the patient’s personal physician, who continues to direct the medical care.The Hospice team members include the following:

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.

A team member is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer question, discuss concerns and visit when needed.

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What Is The Role Of My Personal Physician?

Your personal physician continues, as your primary doctor, to direct your medical care. The hospice team works with your doctor to provide the medical and supportive services you need. Communication between the hospice team and your doctor is maintained on a regular basis.

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Can I Change My Mind About Hospice?

YES. Hospice is a flexible, patient-centered service for those who want it. Hospice professionals recognize that a hospice program is not for everyone and that people have a right to change their minds. Patients and families can choose to participate in a hospice program or not to continue at any time during the course of the terminal illness. Should a patient/family already in a hospice program decide that they no longer wish hospice services, they should seek the support and assistance of members of the hospice team in working out necessary medical and insurance changes.

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How Can I Find A Hospice Program?

The Hospice Network of Maryland can help you find a hospice program locally or anywhere in the United States. For a directory of hospice services in the State of Maryland, go to (Finding Hospice Care). Or call us at (410) 729-4571.

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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?

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The Hospice Network of Maryland

408 Headquarters Drive, Suite 3H · Millersville, MD 21108

Phone 410-729-4571 · FAX 410-729-4574


 

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