Frequently Asked Questions
What is hospice?
Hospice is a special kind of health care for
people who have a terminal illness. It is not “giving
up,” but rather a different type of care
that focuses on quality of life and on pain
and symptom control instead of on curative
treatment.
What are the basic requirements to receive
hospice care?
Choosing hospice care often requires a shift
in the focus of care for people who know they
have a life limiting illness. Basic requirements
to participate in hospice include:
- You understand that you have a terminal illness.
- You accept a shift in health care from curative
care to comfort care, which focuses on aggressive
pain and symptom control.
- Two physicians agree that in their best
clinical judgment, you are most likely in the
final six months of your life.
- You are willing to have someone help make
health care decisions for you if you are unable
to make them for yourself.
Where does hospice care take place?
Most often hospice care happens in your home,
with familiar and comfortable things around
you. Your caregiver is supported by the hospice
team, which includes nurses, home health aides,
a social worker and chaplain all working together
with your doctor to keep you as comfortable
as possible. You also are able to receive hospice
care in a skilled nursing facility, assisted
living facility or sometimes at a hospital
if that is appropriate. Residential hospices
may be available for those who choose not to
live at home.
How much does hospice care cost?
Hospice care is covered by most insurance carriers
including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.
The hospice receives payment from your insurance
carrier on a per diem basis, which means that
all care is provided for a fixed daily rate
that varies slightly by geographical location
and from insurer to insurer.
If you do not have health insurance, you still
will be eligible for hospice care, often at no
or very little cost to you and your family. You
should check with the hospice provider you select
about any additional costs for care not covered
by insurance.
What does hospice cover?
Hospice coverage provides comprehensive medical
care related to your terminal illness. It includes
most medications, medical supplies and durable
medical equipment, such as a hospital bed in
your home.
It also covers payment for visits to your home,
or wherever you are receiving your care, by the
hospice team. Members of the team may include:
- Your physician - who continues to oversee
your care
- Hospice Medical Director - who works with
your physician and other members of the hospice
team to coordinate your care
- Registered nurse - who will visit you in
your home to manage your clinical care
- Social worker - who will help you with concerns
about personal issues and your family and friends
- Home health aide - who will help you with
activities of daily living
- Chaplain - who will help you with spiritual
concerns you may have
- Volunteers - who are specially trained to
provide you with companionship or special needs
- Physical, speech, or occupational therapists,
as needed - to improve your quality of life
- Bereavement counselors - to help those who
love and care for you cope after your death
Can I still get hospice care if I live alone?
It is possible to get hospice care if you are
used to living alone. Special considerations
will have to be addressed, however. For example,
how will people caring for you get into your
home if you are unable to answer the door?
Who will make decisions for you if you are
no longer able to make them for yourself? To
discuss the option of hospice if you live alone,
you should talk to the hospice provider you
select or to the social worker helping you
with hospice arrangements.
The Living Alone program at Wissahickon Hospice
allows patients with no primary caregiver to
receive hospice services for as long as possible
and, when feasible, to die at home. To be considered,
patients must meet certain admission criteria
including adequate housing, mobility, and implementation
of special home safety and emergency measures.
Special services are provided to ensure the patient's
safety and comfort.
How do I learn more about hospice?
Let your doctor, nurse or social worker know
you are interested in hospice care for yourself
or someone you love. They can advise you on
whom to contact and how to make arrangements
for hospice.
For more information about hospice, you can
contact Wissahickon Hospice, part of the University
of Pennsylvania Health System, at
610-617-2400 or 800-700-8807 or by email at hospice@uphs.upenn.edu.
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