Beth Hoffmann answers your hospice questions
Q: When I make the choice to start hospice service, does my insurance company direct which hospice I use?
A: No. Patients have the right to choose their hospice provider. Physicians or other caregivers may recommend a hospice, but patient choice must be honored. When looking for a hospice provider, it's important to know all your options.
Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible for admission to the Hoffmann Hospice Program:
The individual's attending physician must approve of Hospice care and certify there is a life expectancy of six months or less - if the disease runs its course.
- The goal of treatment must be palliative care - to control symptoms and promote comfort. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy aimed at seeking a cure must be completed. Radiation therapy given to provide relief from pain and discomfort caused by the terminal illness may be examined on an individual basis.
- The individual must have a primary caregiver who will provide or supervise care when needed, including giving medications. If a caregiver is not available, the individual must identify a plan for the provision of care when he or she is no longer able to perform this role.
Additional issues for consideration include:
- The individual or representative must sign a consent form electing to participate in the Hospice program.
- The patient's home environment must be reasonably safe, conducive to Hospice care, and free from any risk to staff life or health. Risks may include animals that bite, guns, excessive drinking or infestation. It is at the discretion of the healthcare professional to determine if the home is a safe environment for practice. Non-compliance may be considered a cause for termination of service.
The individual must live within the areas served by Hoffmann Hospice:
- Kern County
- Frazier Park
- Lancaster / Palmdale area
- Tehachapi
Patients are admitted to Hoffmann Hospice regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, sex, or ability to pay.
Who is eligible for Hospice?
Hospice is for adults, children and infants who are facing the advancing stages of any terminal or life limiting illness, and who, according to their physicians, have probably entered the last six months of life.
Must a patient's physician recommend the patient to Hoffmann Hospice?
No. Anyone can. Usually the patient's family or friends make the first call to hospice. However, a physician must approve hospice care for the patient. If your physician wants more information about hospice care, it is available from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Who pays for Hoffmann Hospice services?
Fully licensed, certified and accredited, Hoffmann Hospice's services are covered, in full or in part, by most insurance plans. Medicare and Medi-Cal have special hospice benefits that relieve many patients and families of virtually all their healthcare payment concerns.
What about those who cannot afford to pay for hospice services?
As an independent, community-based non-profit hospice, Hoffmann Hospice accepts eligible hospice patients, regardless of their ability to pay, based on the availability of funds donated by individuals, businesses and foundations in the community.