What is Hospice

What Is Hospice?

Hospice is specialized care designed to provide comfort, dignity, and support to individuals facing a life-limiting illness. Rather than focusing on curative treatment, hospice centers on comfort, symptom management, and enhancing quality of life—allowing patients to remain in the comfort of their home while surrounded by those they love.

Who Pays for Hospice?

Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare, with no co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses for those who qualify. The Veterans Administration also provides a hospice benefit at no cost to eligible Veterans, and most private insurance plans include a hospice benefit. This means all services related to your hospice care are fully covered.

What Should I Expect?

You will meet with a hospice professional who will explain the program and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision. Your personal physician may remain involved in your care, or you may choose to have the Hospice Medical Director oversee your treatment.

Your hospice nurse will work closely with you and your family to develop a personalized care plan that meets your individual needs. Hospice care is provided wherever you call home, and our team communicates continuously to ensure support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a time when you and your family guide care decisions, with a dedicated team walking beside you every step of the way.

How Do I Qualify for Hospice?

Hospice care is available to individuals with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. To begin hospice services, the patient (or their representative) chooses hospice as a treatment option, and a physician certifies eligibility. This determination is typically made by the patient’s personal physician in consultation with the hospice medical director.