The guidelines for hospice eligibility have been adopted by Medicare hospice intermediary, so can be found on its Web sites at: http://www.ugsmedicare.com/providers/lmrp/documents/Hospice%20LCD%2001-01-04.pdf. In addition, these guidelines are available in PDA format at www.infingo.com/mninfo.htm. You have to also download the reader to view the content on Palm or Windows PC PDAs (Free).

Although hospice care is most often thought of in conjunction with cancer patients, there are other patients who may benefit, including those who suffer from congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's, AIDS, end-stage liver, heart or lung disease, and other debilitating diseases. Additional diagnoses may include:

The AbioCor is intended for use with patients whose hearts have irreparably damaged left and/or right ventricles, and for whom existing methods of surgical intervention and/or drug therapy are inadequate. The AbioCor can be used with patients who suffer from congestive heart failure or coronary heart disease. Congestive heart failure, prevalent in older patients, is a result of the progressive deterioration of the heart over a number of years.

Patients in need of financial assistance are eligible to receive up to $1,000 over a one-year period while undergoing treatment.

Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide sensitivity and support for people in the final phase of a terminal illness. Hospice Care seeks to enable patients to carry on an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality at home or in a home-like setting.

The Hospice Medicare Benefit (HMB) is offered to all Medicare recipients. When a patient is admitted to Hospice, Medicare pays the hospice a daily rate, much like going in the hospital. Hospice of Randolph County pays for expenses related to the terminal diagnosis, even though those may be much more than the Medicare daily rate. Other medical expenses, which are not related to the terminal diagnosis, may still be billed directly to Medicare.

Anyone whose health condition has reached the point that their attending physician believes their life expectancy is months versus years to live. Hospice care is for those who agree and prefer that their focus of care be palliative (comfort based) rather than curative.

Patients are free to withdraw at any time. Sometimes new treatments become available, and a patient decides to pursue aggressive, rather than palliative care. Also, a patient's condition may become stable making Hospice care no longer appropriate. The patient would then be discharged from CNS Hospice.

The clinical situations in which RESPeRATE appears particularly useful are: 1) pre-hypertensives and white-coat or labile hypertensives who might benefit from reducing stress and sympathetic activity; 2) patients with isolated systolic hypertension; and 3) resistant hypertensive patients (uncontrolled BP despite use of a diuretic and at least 2 other medications at maximum dosage).

HospiceCare will provide services to anyone who meets admission criteria, regardless of their ability to pay. The agency receives funds through community donations to offset the cost of care for patients who do not have insurance. HospiceCare provides continuing contact and support to families for at least one year following the death of a loved one through its Grief and Loss Resource Department. Support groups are available to family members and friends as well as teenagers and children.

You do have choice regarding care and treatment of yourself or a loved one who is seriously ill. Anyone can request these services. Patients do not need to be homebound in order to receive hospice services and most physicians know about hospice and will provide honest information about the appropiateness and benefits of the hospice option. If a family member or caregiver feels it might be time for hospice, a call to InFinity Care of Tulsa is the first step.

Yes. The Hospice medical director will review the Hospice plan of care and is available to consult with the primary physician if needed. Hospice nurses will work with the patient's doctor on all aspects of care. No. Hospice nurses visit weekly or more frequently as the patient's condition dictates. A Hospice nurse is also accessible 24 hours a day by phone to assist with questions or emergencies and will make a home visit if needed.

If desired Hospice will provide continuing contact and support for caregivers and/or families for at least a year following the death of a loved one. This is called the Bereavement Program. Bereavement counselors will offer support to meet the needs of those who are grieving. Support may be in the form of grief education, support groups, one-to-one counseling, phone calls or written communication. Privacy Policy California Home Care & Hospice, Inc., respects the privacy of your information.

You should discuss your desire for hospice care with your doctor. Your doctor will then make a referral to Lutheran Hospice for hospice services. When the referral is received, our care team will meet with you and your family and develop a plan of care appropriate to meet your physical needs and choices.

Early in the diagnosis. This gives the patient and family time to evaluate all their options as the illness progresses.

Hospice addresses spiritual, emotional, and physical pain and provides services for each. Hospice nurses and physicians are specifically trained in the latest medications and modalities for symptom relief and pain control. Many hospices have physical and occupational therapists that can assist the patient in being as mobile and self sufficient as they are able for as long as possible. Other modalities that are often offered are music therapy, art therapy, and massage.

Yes. Patients always have the right to choose what type of care they receive. If they and their physicians decide to try another approach, we will assist them in making that transition.

Are certified by their doctor and the hospice medical director as terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less; Sign a statement choosing hospice care using the Medicare Hospice Benefit, rather than curative treatment and standard Medicare covered benefits for their terminal illness.* Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that are not related to your terminal illness.

Anyone with a life-limiting illness who has chosen not to seek further aggressive or curative treatment for their illness, but would like to live the remainder of their life as pain free and active as possible for as long as possible.

Answer: A physician must certify that a hospice patient has an illness and an estimated life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its usual course. The patient must agree to hospice care. Generally most hospice providers accept everyone who meets those criteria, regardless of the patient's financial situation or insurance coverage. The patient does not have to have family caregivers in the home in order to receive hospice services.

Hospice care does not automatically end after six months. Medicare and most other insurers will continue to pay for hospice care as long as a physician certifies that the patient continues to have an estimated prognosis of six months or less. (Physicans are required to certify that patients are still eligible for hospice benefits every 90 days for the first six months of hospice care, and then every 60 days thereafter.) [Back to top]

Hospice is appropriate when treatments are no longer effective and the patient and family agree to the service. Understandably, many patients and family members are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping treatment. Hospice staff members are sensitive to these concerns and are available to respond to any fears or concerns the patient and their family may have. Prior to admission, a plan of care is developed based upon the patient's wishes. Hospice Care Team, Inc.

Anyone may refer a patient to a hospice program. The patient may refer him/herself or he/she may be referred by a friend, caregiver, relative, social worker, nurse, hospital, nursing home or physician. Our staff is available to visit with the patient and family prior to admission for assessment and explanation of the services provided. To make a referral, call (800) 545-8735 and ask for the admissions coordinator. The following patient information will be requested:

Absolutely! CNS Hospice's bereavement services--including professional and volunteer support through individual and group contacts--are available to anyone who is grieving, including adults and children.

CNS Hospice is licensed by the state and is Medicare/Medicaid certified by the federal government. In addition, our agency has voluntarily sought and received accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

A patient will qualify for hospice care if two doctors sign a document that the patient is terminally ill and is expected to live less than six months. One of these doctors is the patient's own physician; the other is the hospice medical director. This is the sole medical requirement for admission to hospice.

Absolutely! Your physician will remain fully involved in all aspects of your care. Decisions about all your medical needs including pain and symptom management, are directed by your primary care physician in consultation with the hospice team.

SolAmor, we put patients and their families at the center of care. Our trained professionals provide information and guidance and encourage open and ongoing communication. Our staff is specially trained to help control the patient's level of pain while helping to ensure the highest possible quality of life. Furthermore, we focus on more that the physical symptoms; we provide emotional and spiritual support to the patient as well as his or her family members.