Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care

Hospice care is specialized medical care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for people with a serious illness when curative treatment is no longer the goal. Care is provided by a team of professionals who support both the patient and the family.

A person qualifies for hospice when a physician certifies they have a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course. Eligibility is not limited to cancer. Many people receive hospice for conditions like heart disease, lung disease, dementia, Parkinson’s, ALS, kidney disease, stroke, and end-stage organ failure.

The right time is often earlier than families expect. Signs it may be time to ask about hospice include:

• Frequent hospital visits or emergency room trips
• Significant weight loss or declining appetite
• Increased fatigue, weakness, or time spent in bed
• A serious illness that is no longer responding to treatment
• A wish to focus on comfort rather than continued curative care

Talking with a doctor or hospice provider early gives families more time to benefit from the support hospice offers.

No. Hospice is not about giving up. It’s a shift in focus from curing illness to living as fully and comfortably as possible. Many families share that hospice gave their loved one more peace, less pain, and more meaningful time together.

Hospice care comes to wherever the patient calls home. That can include:

• A private residence
• A family member’s home
• An assisted living community
• A nursing facility or skilled nursing home
• A hospice inpatient facility

The care team travels to the patient, so they can stay in familiar surroundings.

A hospice team is a group of professionals who work together to care for the patient and family, including:

• A hospice physician or medical director
• Registered nurses
• Certified hospice aides
• Social workers
• Chaplains and spiritual care counselors
• Trained volunteers
• Bereavement counselors

Each team member plays a role in caring for the whole person.

Visit frequency is based on the patient’s needs. Most patients receive several visits each week from nurses, aides, and other team members. As needs change, visits may increase. Your care plan is built around what you and your loved one need most.

Yes. Hospice teams are available around the clock, every day of the year. You can call at any time of day or night to speak with a nurse, request a visit, or get guidance during a difficult moment.

Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the Veterans Health Administration, and most private insurance plans. Coverage typically includes nursing care, medications related to the hospice diagnosis, medical equipment, supplies, and emotional and spiritual support.

Yes. The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers hospice care for eligible patients with little to no out-of-pocket cost. This includes visits from the care team, medications related to the terminal illness, medical equipment, and bereavement support for the family.

Medicaid covers hospice in most states with benefits similar to Medicare. Most private insurance plans also include hospice coverage. Our team can help you understand what your specific plan includes.

You can start by simply calling. A member of our team will listen, answer your questions, and help determine whether hospice is the right fit. From there, we coordinate with your physician to set up care quickly, often within a day or two.

A physician’s certification is required to begin hospice, but you don’t have to wait for a doctor to bring it up. Families, patients, friends, or caregivers can call hospice directly to ask questions or request an evaluation.

Yes. Patients and families have the right to choose any licensed hospice provider that serves their area. You are not required to use the first provider recommended.

Yes. Medications related to the hospice diagnosis, including those for pain and symptom control, are covered and managed by the hospice team. Medications for unrelated conditions may continue based on the care plan.

Yes. Patients can continue to see their primary or attending physician, who works alongside the hospice medical team to guide care.

Yes. Patients can revoke hospice at any time and return to curative treatment. They can also re-enroll in hospice later if they choose. Some patients are even discharged from hospice when their condition stabilizes.

Hospice supports the whole family, not just the patient. This includes:

• Social work and counseling
• Spiritual care
• Guidance with caregiving tasks
• Help with planning and decision-making
• Respite care for primary caregivers

Yes. Bereavement support is offered to families for up to 13 months after a loved one’s death. This may include phone check-ins, support groups, counseling, and written resources.