Hospice is a health benefit covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as some private insurance Companies. This benefit is designed to provide quality end-of-life care to individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of 6 months, or less.
Typically, when patients begin hospice care they are in the last phase of an incurable disease and have chosen to stop treatments and focus on living fully and comfortably during their time remaining.
An interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals work collaboratively to provide expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. This care is tailored to meet the individual needs and wished of patients and their loved ones.
To be eligible to receive hospice care, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be eligible Medicare Part A benefits, Medicaid benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or have an insurance plan with a hospice benefit,
- Suffer from a terminal condition that meets disease specific criteria defined by Medicare or insurance; and
- Have two physicians certify that the individual has a life expectancy of 6 months, or less.
Once a patient is determined to be eligible for hospice care, the focus of the patient’s care shifts from “curative” (i.e. how the disease is “treated”) to “comfort care” (i.e. managing the patient’s symptoms with medications and other therapies.)
Call for more information – 617-819-1214.
Susan Z. Robins, Chief Growth Officer
Dignity Hospice™
260 Cochituate Road, Suite 201
Framingham, MA 01701
617-819-1214
[email protected]
https://www.dignityhospicellc.com/hospice-faqs/
