Why Was I Sent Home for Hospice Care?

You were sent home for hospice care to receive comfort-focused treatment for a terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of six months or fewer. At this stage, the focus of care shifts from pursuing a cure for your condition to prioritizing quality of life and symptom management.

Home hospice care allows individuals with terminal illnesses to continue living in a familiar environment while having access to the emotional and physical support they need. It focuses on enhancing comfort and minimizing pain during the final stages of life. Hospice services include:

• Regular visits from a registered nurse to monitor vital signs and manage medications
• Spiritual and emotional counseling for patients, as well as guidance for family members on providing daily care
• Necessary medical equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and oxygen tanks
• Pain management to alleviate discomfort and other distressing symptoms
• Assistance with personal care and light housekeeping
• Physical, occupational and speech therapies to help patients maintain mobility, function and communication skills for as long as possible

Hospice also covers respite care for short periods. This service offers temporary relief for family members, allowing them to take a break from the demands of caregiving.

Most individuals in the United States rely on Medicare to cover the costs associated with hospice care. Those enrolled in Medicare Part A can access hospice services without any out-of-pocket expenses if they meet the following conditions:

• A physician must certify that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or fewer.
• The patient, or a designated health care proxy, must sign a statement electing hospice services and forgoing Medicare-covered curative treatments for their terminal illness.
• The patient must only receive hospice care from Medicare-approved agencies.

While Medicare Part A pays for most hospice-related expenses, patients sometimes need to cover a fee for outpatient prescription drugs and respite care services. In addition, for individuals living in residential care facilities, such as nursing homes, Medicare does not cover room and board costs.