Frequently Asked Questions
What is hospice?
Hospice is not a place but a method of care designed to ease the path from
this life to the next. It effectively eliminates the pain and other
severe
symptoms of terminal diseases that otherwise might lead to the immoral
practice of euthanasia. This question is answered more fully in the first
four links of Maximum Hospice's home page, entitled , ,
, and .
When do I need hospice?
Hospice is recommended when the loved one has been diagnosed as having
less
than six months to live, and when the family needs the hospice team of
specialists to ease the burden of care-giving. Eligibility for hospice is
certified for one ninety day period, and then subsequently for shorter
periods, as needed. This question is answered with greater detail in the
three home page links entitled, , and
.
What services does hospice provide?
In its life-affirming mission the hospice agency marshals the skills of
physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, homemakers, hospice aides,
spiritual and bereavement counselors, and volunteers to increase the
physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of remaining life. This
question
is further answered in the two home page links entitled and .
Does insurance cover hospice care?
All expenses, including medical prescriptions, supplies, and equipment,
and
even transportation to the hospital for acute care, are free for Medicare
beneficiaries. Expenses of the 20% of patients not eligible for Medicare
may be partially covered by Medicaid and private insurance. This question
is treated tangentially, especially for care giving professionals, through
the home page link entitled Links to More Information in the hospice
manual, Hospice: New Frontiers in Quality of Life, specifically in
chapters
four and five, entitled, respectively, Hospice Management and Federal
Oversight.
What is the role of my personal physician?
The patient's personal physician may continue to provide care just as
before. All ultimate decision-making in every aspect of hospice care lies
with the patient and family. This question is treated at length in the
Maximum home page link entitled .
Can I change my mind about hospice care?
At any time the patient or family may elect out of hospice care in favor
of
less intensive home care or extended nursing home care, but such election
may be made only once in each certified period of hospice care.
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