Hospice Care is a philosophy of care that focuses on patient comfort and quality of life rather than curing the patient’s disease. Hospice is generally appropriate for someone with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. the main goal is quality of life for the patient.
As patients enter the last stage of their life, we believe that in-home care offers the most caring and loving environment. We help patients and families cope with physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the terminal illness – providing comfort, warmth and care by sending our best team of health care professionals to the home. Hospice services affirm life and respect dying as a normal process. Care is typically provided in the patients home but it may be also be provided in an inpatient hospice unit. Hospice does not provide 24 hour around the clock care.
Hospice care emphasizes comfort and dignity for the patient, making it possible for them to remain independent for as long as possible in a familiar surrounding and as comfortable as possible. In-home hospice services are available both on a scheduled and as-needed basis on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Spiritual Care/Bereavement
- Nursing Services
- Physician Participation
- Hospice Aide Services
- Medical Social Services
- Volunteers
- Medical Equipment
- Medications/Pain Management
We serve Tucson, Marana, Green Valley, Vail, Sahuarita, Nogales, Rio Rico, St. David, Oro Valley, and Benson.
If you meet the following criteria, Medicare Part A covers 100% of hospice :
- Your primary care physician and hospice doctor certify that you’re terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less.
- You accept comfort care instead of care to cure disease.
- You declare your choice for hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered treatments for your terminal illness and related conditions.
For more information about eligibility, coverage and costs, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare recipients and their families often have common questions regarding hospice care. According to the National Institute on Aging, the most frequent inquiries include:
- Who qualifies for hospice?
To be eligible for Medicare hospice benefits, a patient must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, as certified by a doctor. - What does Medicare pay for?
Original Medicare covers virtually all aspects of hospice care, including doctor services, nursing care, medical equipment (like hospital beds), and grief counseling for the family. - What are the out-of-pocket costs?
For Medicare-approved providers, recipients typically pay nothing for care. However, there may be small copayments (up to $5) for outpatient drugs for pain and symptom management and a 5% coinsurance for inpatient respite care. - Can I still see my regular doctor?
Yes, you can choose to keep your regular doctor or nurse practitioner as your attending medical professional to supervise your care alongside the hospice team. - What happens if I live longer than six months?
Hospice care is not strictly limited to six months. If a patient outlives the initial prognosis, their doctor can recertify them for unlimited 60-day benefit periods as long as they remain terminally ill. - Does hospice provide 24/7 care at home?
While a member of the hospice team is available by phone 24/7, the actual day-to-day care is primarily provided by family or friends. - Can I stop hospice care?
Yes, patients have the right to stop hospice care at any time to return to curative treatment. - Is room and board covered?
Medicare generally does not cover room and board if you receive hospice care at home or in a nursing facility, unless the hospice team arranges short-term inpatient or respite care.
Source: National Institute on Aging
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hospice-and-palliative-care/frequently-asked-questions-about-hospice-care