Hospice

Types

Hospice services are provided in a variety of settings and have multiple avenues of funding. They may be part of a home health agency, have a freestanding facility or space in a local hospital, or be provided to patients in their homes or wherever they may be staying. Hospices may rarely be staffed by volunteers but are usually operated by paid specialists.

Admission

To be admitted to a hospice program, a patient must obtain a physician's order. This order can be requested by anyone, including the patient, a family member, or a health-care provider. Any physician can write such an order as long as it states that in the physician's best [Page 244]medical judgment, the patient has 6 months or less to live, regardless of age or diagnosis. Hospice care will be continued as long as the patient lives, provided a progressive decline can be demonstrated.

Funding

Once admitted to the hospice program, most patients are eligible for funding under the Hospice Medicare benefit, which does not depend on age. Patients may qualify for other financial resources, such as Medicaid. Hospices also receive funding from grants and donations, fundraising activities, and other state, local, or federal sources. Most hospices have a policy of providing service to those in need even if the usual avenues of reimbursement are not available. Besides those already mentioned, such services typically include paying for any medications related to the patient's diagnosis and providing needed equipment, such as oxygen delivery systems, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and similar supplies.

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