Frequently asked questions

Hospice is medical care for people who are likely in the last months of life. The focus shifts from curing the illness to relieving pain and other symptoms and supporting the family. A team of physician, nurse, aide, social worker, chaplain, and volunteers provides care wherever the person lives.

A person may qualify when a physician certifies a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its usual course, and a second physician agrees. The patient must also choose comfort-focused care rather than curative treatment for that illness. Eligibility depends on an individual clinical assessment.

No. You can call a hospice directly. A physician must certify eligibility and provide orders, but the hospice can contact the physician for you.

It depends on the situation. Some admissions happen the same day, particularly from a hospital. Others take a few days while records and physician orders are gathered. When you call, ask what is realistic for the day and hour you are calling, and ask us to tell you plainly.

Yes. A patient can revoke the hospice benefit at any time, for any reason, including to pursue treatment again. They can return to hospice later if they qualify.

Mostly where the person lives: a house, apartment, assisted living community, or nursing facility. A smaller number of patients receive general inpatient care in a hospital or hospice facility when symptoms cannot be managed at home.

A registered nurse typically visits one to three times a week, more often as symptoms change. An aide visits a few times a week for personal care. A social worker and chaplain visit periodically. The specific schedule is set in the care plan and should change as needs change.

No. Hospice provides scheduled visits and 24-hour telephone access to a nurse, not a caregiver stationed in the home. Around-the-clock bedside caregiving is a separate service, usually private pay.

Often yes. The hospice medical director coordinates with the attending physician. Some physicians prefer to hand off care to the hospice, which is also normal.

Yes. The facility provides room, board, and daily care; the hospice provides the medical, nursing, aide, social work, and spiritual care related to the terminal illness.

Most hospice services are covered, but not everything is free. You may owe up to $5 per prescription for symptom-related medications and about 5% coinsurance for respite care. Room and board in a facility and around-the-clock attendant care are not covered.

Medicare does not cover long-term room and board in a nursing facility. Medi-Cal may cover it for eligible patients. Ask the hospice social worker which rules apply to your situation.

Medicare Advantage plans must cover hospice. The hospice is usually paid under Original Medicare while the plan continues to cover unrelated care. Ask the plan what changes and whether any extra services are included.

Medications and equipment related to the terminal diagnosis are covered under the hospice benefit, subject to the small per-prescription copayment noted above. Unrelated medications continue under your regular coverage.

Families provide day-to-day presence: meals, medications on schedule, repositioning, watching for changes, and calling the nurse when something is wrong. The hospice teaches you the clinical tasks, but it does not replace the family’s presence.

The on-call hospice nurse, using the number provided at admission. That line should reach a nurse who can advise you and arrange an urgent visit. Call 911 for injuries or emergencies unrelated to the terminal illness.

Emergency services will respond. Tell them the patient is on hospice and what the goals of care are. Notify the hospice afterward so the care plan and coverage can be updated.

Yes. There are no visiting hours in home hospice. In a facility, ask about that facility’s policies.

Ask the social worker to convene a family meeting. Disagreement is common, particularly about how much to tell the patient and whether to hospitalize. The patient’s documented wishes carry the most weight.

Call the nurse. Medications and doses can be adjusted, and a different route may be needed if swallowing is difficult. Uncontrolled pain is a reason for an urgent visit, not something to endure until morning.

The hospice can arrange continuous home care for a short-term crisis, or general inpatient care in a hospital or facility until symptoms are controlled. Most patients return home afterward.

No. Hospice medications are given to relieve suffering and are adjusted to symptoms. The goal is comfort and, where possible, alertness.

Yes, though hospitalization for the terminal illness can affect coverage and the care plan. Tell the hospice immediately if the patient goes to an emergency department.

If the death was expected, call the hospice nurse first, not 911. The nurse will come to confirm the death, help with paperwork, and contact the funeral home you have chosen.

No. Funeral and burial arrangements are handled by a funeral home or the family’s faith community. Hospice provides bereavement support to the family, not funeral services.

Medicare requires hospices to offer bereavement support for up to a year after the death. What is offered (phone calls, mailings, groups, counseling) varies by agency.

County indigent burial programs, Veterans benefits for eligible veterans, and some faith communities offer assistance. The hospice social worker can point you toward options but cannot guarantee eligibility.