Common questions about hospice care
Short answers to questions families and healthcare professionals often ask. If your question isn’t here, leave a request.
About hospice
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is for people with a serious illness who choose comfort instead of treatment aimed at a cure. The hospice team cares for your loved one and supports the whole family.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice care shifts the focus from a cure to comfort and quality of life. The patient can stop hospice care at any time and go back to treatment for their illness.
Who qualifies for hospice care?
A doctor confirms who qualifies. For Medicare to cover it, the patient must have Medicare Part A and choose hospice care instead of treatment aimed at a cure. The hospice physician and the patient’s own doctor, if they have one, certify a terminal prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. A prognosis is a doctor’s judgment, not a countdown or a promise. If the patient lives longer than expected, hospice care can continue as long as the hospice physician confirms that they still qualify.
Do we need a doctor’s referral to contact you?
No. You can contact us yourself. We’ll answer your questions and explain how hospice care can begin.
Paying for care
Does Medicare or Medi-Cal cover hospice care?
Yes, if the patient is eligible for hospice care. Medicare pays for care related to the patient’s main illness, including visits from the hospice team, medications for pain relief and symptom control, plus medical equipment and supplies. We accept Medicare Part A, Medi-Cal (Medicaid), major HMO insurance plans and private pay. When we call you back, tell us your plan, and we’ll verify coverage before care begins.
Are medications and equipment covered?
Medicare covers them when they relate to the patient’s main illness and are part of the care plan. You may pay up to $5 for each prescription for pain and symptom relief.
What if my loved one has Medicare Advantage or another plan?
If your loved one has a Medicare Advantage plan, Original Medicare pays for hospice care related to their main illness. They can stay in their plan for other health needs as long as they keep paying the plan’s premiums. We also accept major HMO insurance plans and private pay. Tell us your plan, and we’ll verify coverage before care begins.
Care at home
Where does hospice care happen?
We provide hospice care at home, in nursing homes and in assisted living facilities. Our team visits your loved one and the family where they live. Ask us whether we can come to your loved one’s address. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who is part of the hospice team?
A hospice team usually includes a hospice physician, nurses, hospice aides, a social worker and counselors who offer spiritual and grief support. Not everyone comes to every visit. The care plan sets who visits and when.
How often will someone from the team visit?
It depends on your loved one’s needs. The care plan sets how often each person on the team visits. When those needs change, so does the plan.
Can the patient keep seeing their own doctor?
Yes, if the patient chooses that doctor as their attending doctor for hospice care. We then work with that doctor and keep them up to date.
What if the patient’s condition changes?
The team reviews the care plan and talks through any changes with the patient, the family and the patient’s doctor. If the patient’s health improves, they may no longer need hospice care. Their own doctor then continues their care.
Do you support the patient’s family?
Yes. Supporting the family is part of hospice care. The team helps you care for your loved one, and a social worker is there for you, too. Support continues after a loss.
For professionals
Who can refer a patient to hospice?
Physicians, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and home health agencies can refer patients.
How do I refer a patient?
Leave a call-back request, as families do. We’ll call you back to take the referral.
This is general information. It doesn’t replace a doctor’s advice.
If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Didn’t find your question?
Leave a request, and we’ll call you back. We’ll answer in plain language.
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