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Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Hospice Care
Q. Who may receive hospice care?
A. Hospice care is specifically for people with life limiting illnesses who also meet the following hospice guidelines:
- The patient’s physician has said that the patient’s prognosis is life limiting (six months or less) and the physician agrees to work with our hospice team in order to give the patient the best possible care.
- There is a desire for palliative care at a time when aggressive, curative treatment may have been stopped, been refused, or has been deemed inappropriate for the current stage of the patient’s illness.
- The patient is aware of the nature of their illness.
Q. Do I give up my rights to see a doctor while on the hospice program?
A. Your participation in the Hospice Atlanta program will not prevent you from seeing your doctor regardless of the type of coverage you have.
Doctors’ visits are billed separately from hospice services. If you wish and are able to go to your doctor’s office, Hospice Atlanta works with your physician to provide you with the optimum level of care.
Q. Can I still go to the hospital?
A. Yes, you maintain the right to go to the hospital. There is the possibility that your status in the hospice program may change. In most cases an emergency transfer to a hospital is not part of a hospice plan of care unless it is unrelated to the patient’s terminal diagnosis (i.e., a fractured hip, blood clot to the leg, etc.). In most cases, we prefer that the patient be transferred to the hospice center for “acute care” related to the terminal illness.
If the patient needs to go to the hospital, the caregiver needs to notify hospice immediately. The hospice team will work with the caregiver to determine the next steps regarding the plan of care.
Q. How is hospice care paid for?
A. Hospice Atlanta is a nonprofit organization and we are reimbursed for our services from a variety of sources, including:
- Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid pay for hospice services.
- Private Insurance
Insurance companies usually provide a hospice benefit. Hospice Atlanta verifies coverage and you will be informed of the terms of your coverage. Some insurance company benefits for hospice care are very similar to Medicare’s benefits. Other insurance companies have very specific coverage provisions and limits for hospice services.
- Other Sources
Financial Aid is available if needed. We can help perform an assessment.
Q. What hospice services are covered?
- Physician, Nurse, Social Worker, Certified Nursing Assistant, Chaplain, Volunteers, and Bereavement follow-up.
- Home medical equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen, bedside commode, or wheelchair if needed.
- Medications for pain and symptom control (i.e. anti-nausea medications, anti-itching medications, etc.). Medication related to your terminal diagnosis may be covered.
- Antibiotics used to treat a related illness are usually not covered and should be obtained by the patient from their regular healthcare provider.
Q. Can I return to the Hospice Atlanta Program if I have been discharged?
A. Yes, if you meet the criteria for hospice the procedure to reinstate you to the hospice program is very simple.
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