What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care, also referred to as comfort care, is a specialized level of support designed for you or your loved one if you,  

• Have an advanced illness 
• A prognosis of six months or less 
• And have chosen to stop seeking curative treatment 

Hospice care focuses on ensuring your comfort and dignity as you face the end of life. Rather than seeking a cure, hospice prioritizes comfort and caring, allowing you to spend your final months, weeks, or days free of pain and surrounded by the people you love.

The earlier you choose to receive hospice care, the more it can enhance your quality of life. Hospice care doesn’t just support you—it also provides your family with emotional and spiritual guidance and the education they need to care for you during this time. Hospice becomes an additional source of reassurance and guidance, offering you and your loved ones access to valuable resources to help navigate this journey with compassion and understanding.

Important Things to Know About Hospice Care

1. Hospice is a Level of Care, Not a Place
   Hospice care is not tied to a specific location. It is a specialized level of care that can be provided wherever needed, but it is often provided in the comfort of your home.
2. Eligibility Includes a Wide Range of Illnesses
   Hospice care is not just for patients with cancer. It supports individuals with any life-limiting illness, including conditions like congestive heart failure, COPD, dementia, kidney disease, ALS, HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, and more.
3. You Can Keep Your Current Physician
   You do not have to give up your current doctor. If you want them involved, the hospice care team will collaborate with your physician to develop and oversee your personalized care plan.
4. There Is No Limit on Hospice Care Days
   Although eligibility requires a prognosis of six months or less, there is no maximum number of days for which you can receive hospice care. You can continue receiving hospice care support as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
5. Your Health Status Is Regularly Assessed
   Your hospice team will periodically evaluate your condition to ensure your plan of care continues to meet your needs and to confirm your continued eligibility for hospice services.
6. You Can Stop and Restart Hospice Care
   Hospice care is flexible. If your prognosis improves or a new curative treatment becomes available, you can discontinue hospice care and re-enroll later if your physician certifies you are still eligible.

Hospice care is designed to provide comfort and support tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. It offers compassionate care for adult patients and their families when curative treatment is no longer pursued. Pediatric patients may continue seeking curative treatment while receiving hospice support. This is called Concurrent Care.

What makes someone eligible for hospice care?

The decision to seek hospice care is deeply personal and often one of the most significant choices you or your family will make. If you or a loved one has an illness that is no longer responding to treatment, you may decide that it’s time to explore the option of hospice care, which focuses on providing comfort and quality of life versus curing. 

You may be eligible for hospice care if:

• You are not expected to recover from your condition.
• You have decided to stop active treatment aimed at recovery.
• Your life expectancy is six months or less.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care plans (including HMOs), and most private insurance policies.  If you want to confirm whether your insurance covers hospice care, our Access Coordinators are here to help. They can assist in verifying your insurance benefits and answer any questions about our services.