Learn More About Hospice Care Services
It is perfectly normal for patients and their families to have questions about Hospice Services. Here is some information covering our most frequently asked questions. We encourage you to call us if we do not have the information that you are looking for here, our staff would be happy to help you.
What is Hospice?
Hospice care is a program of care and support intended for patients and their families facing a terminal illness/disease at the end of a loved one’s life. Hospice care is provided by a team of healthcare experts that focus on the patient’s medical care, pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and the needs and wishes of the family to enhance the quality of life.
How Does Hospice Work?
Hospice care provides high quality compassionate comfort care to patients who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and no longer seek curative treatment. Typically hospice patients have been diagnosed with a terminal illness/disease and life expectancy is six months or less.
Care services provided to hospice patients are delivered by trained professionals that include: Physicians, Nurses, Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, Chaplains, Aides, and Volunteers.
Patients are usually referred to hospice by their primary physician but referrals can also be made by family and friends.
Who is Eligible for Prime Care Hospice Services?
The criteria for being eligible for our Hospice Care Services are as follows. Patient must:
Live or be within our geographic area of coverage.
Has been diagnosed with a terminal illness/disease with life expectancy of six months or less.
Is seeking palliative care in lieu of pursuing curative measures for illness/disease.
Is wanting high end medical care, pain management/comfort care, and/or emotional and spiritual support from trained licensed professionals.
Has a primary care physician and/ or attending physician.
Elects Medicare Hospice Benefit to receive hospice care.
Who Pays for Hospice?
Medicare pays 100% of all hospice care rendered in regards to the terminal illness/ disease. This includes all allowable medications, medical equipment (DME), medical supplies, and all health care services provided as routine, inpatient, continuous/crisis, and/or respite.