An end-of-life care option that provides quality, compassionate care for patients diagnosed with a life limiting illness. Hospice care is provided by a team of skilled professionals and volunteers who provide expert medical care and pain management, individualized for each patient. Spiritual and emotional support is tailored to the needs of the patient and their family.
| Question |
Hospice |
Home Health |
| Who can receive this care? |
Someone with an illness or condition, whose life expectancy is 6 months or less. |
Someone with a condition and who needs skilled medical care in a home setting. |
| Can I continue to receive treatments to cure my illness? |
Treatments and medicines are aimed at relieving and managing symptoms and are not curative in nature. |
Treatments are focused on curing the illness. |
| How long can I receive care and my family receive support? |
As long as you meet the Hospice criteria of an illness with a life expectancy of months, not years.
Your family will continue to receive bereavement support for 13 months after the loss of their loved one. |
As long as you are homebound, with limited participation in activities outside of your home, and meet the home health criteria for skilled care, follow-up family support is not provided. |
| Where are services provided? |
Wherever the patient resides:
- Home
- Assisted living facility
- Nursing home
- Hospital, for short term uncontrolled pain or symptom management
|
Private home or assisted living facility. |
| Who provides these services? |
The Hospice care team consists of:
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Social Worker
- Chaplain
- Home Health Aide
- Volunteer
- Bereavement Coordinator
- Others
|
Home Health care is provided by:
- Nurse
- Physical Therapist
- Social Worker
- Speech and Occupational Therapist
- Home Health Aide
- Others
|
| What role does the doctor play? |
The doctor can be your personal physician or one of the Hospice Medical Directors who:
- Makes "house calls"
- Manages and coordinates your care with other Hospice team members
- Is available to answer questions
|
Your doctor works with the home care providers to order treatments and determine the frequency of visits. |
| Does the Hospice team offer expert end-of-life care? |
Yes, the Hospice team are experts at en-of-life care. |
No. |
| Does Medicare pay? |
Medicare pays all charges related to your Hospice diagnosis. |
Some treatments and medications may not be covered. |
| Does Medicaid pay? |
Medicaid pays all charges related to your Hospice diagnosis. |
Some treatments and medications may not be covered. |
| Does private insurance pay? |
Most insurance plans have a Hospice benefit. |
Some insurance plans have home health benefits. |
