Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care

Hospice is a compassionate method of caring for terminally ill people. Hospice is a medically directed, interdisciplinary, team-managed program of services that focuses on the patient and family as the unit of care. Hospice care is palliative rather than curative, with an emphasis on pain and symptom control so that a person may live their last days of life fully, with dignity and comfort, at home or in a home-like setting.

The law leaves the final decision up to the patient. However, the decision is usually made after discussion with the members of the family, the physician, the clergy, and others.

Hospice is for those persons who have a life expectancy of six months or less and can no longer benefit from curative treatment. Most hospice patients receive care at home, and an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, social workers, aides, and volunteers provides treatment. The hospice team provides medical care to the patient and support services to the patient and the patient's family and friends. Hospice does not attempt to cure but rather to control pain and other symptoms in order to enable the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice addresses the medical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patients and their loved ones. Hospice is provided seven days a week. Patients routinely receive periodic in-home services from a nurse, home health aide, social worker, volunteer, and other members of the hospice team.

True Hearts and Hands Hospice can help answer any questions. Contact us today with any concerns and to set up a confidential in-home visit and evaluation.

• Central Region Patient Services: (903) 422-8100

• Southwest Region Patient Services: (817) 435-9093

Hospice care has been found to usually be less expensive than conventional medical care during the last six months of life. Hospice care is covered nationwide by Medicare, and in Texas, it is also covered by Medicaid.

The Hospice Medicare Benefit provides:

• Nursing Care on an Intermittent Basis

• Physician Services

• Drugs, Including Outpatient Drugs for Pain Relief and Symptom Management

• Home Health Aide and Homemaker Services

• Medical Supplies and Appliances

• Short Term Inpatient Care, Including Respite Services

• Medical Social Services

• Spiritual, Dietary, and Other Counseling

• Continuous Care at Home During Periods of Crisis

• Trained Volunteers and Bereavement Services

The Medicare Hospice Benefit does not pay for treatments or services unrelated to the terminal illness. Any attending physician charges would continue to be paid through Medicare Part B coverage. However, the standard Medicare benefit still helps pay the covered costs necessary to treat an unrelated condition. In addition, the patient may be asked to pay 5% of the cost of outpatient drugs or $5 for each prescription, whichever is less, and 5% of the Medicare rate for respite care.

Absolutely not. Medicare pays for the cost of hospice, and Social Security payments are not affected.

HMOs are not required to provide hospice care, though many of them do. Any HMO receiving monthly payments from Medicare must inform Medicare recipients of Medicare-certified hospice programs in the area. A hospice patient does not have to leave the HMO and may continue to receive other HMO benefits not covered by Medicare. 

Hospice offers palliative rather than curative care, with an emphasis on pain and symptom management through an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, clergy, physical and speech therapists, and volunteers who address the medical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of the patient and their loved ones. 

Hospice is usually provided in the home, but it can be provided in a nursing home or inpatient facility if available. Upon entrance to a hospice, the hospice team will assess the patient's needs and prepare an individualized care plan. The care plan will address medication and equipment needs and outline the care to be provided by the family and the hospice. This plan is updated periodically to allow for increased care as the patient's condition changes. 

Caregiving at home is not always easy, and hospice provides telephone consultation on a 24-hour basis and night visits when appropriate. In addition, hospice volunteers can be provided to run errands, and staff members can provide "respite" care to give family members a break and/or provide companionship to the patient.

Hospice neither hastens nor delays the process of dying. Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a natural part of life. It uses sophisticated methods of pain and symptom control to enable the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice is concerned with the patient's quality of life up to the time of death.

A patient who elects to be discharged from hospice has the right to re-enter the program so long as they still meet the criteria for hospice eligibility. If a patient is discharged and no longer meets hospice eligibility, they may re-enter hospice if their condition changes to the point that they now meet hospice eligibility criteria.

Now is the best time to learn more about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, loved ones and family members should share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice becomes apparent. By having these discussions in advance, uncomfortable situations can be avoided. Instead, educated decisions can be made that include the advice and input of loved ones.