Breaking down Hospice Myths with Facts
Hospice is health care that emphasizes a person's dignity and quality of life as they reach the end of their life. It's not as scary as some may believe, and typically it isn't something we think about until it's upon us. When the time comes to research and consider hospice as an option, you may come across some hospice myths that make it seem too unreasonable to enroll in. Here are a few those dispelled myths to help you along your journey. We welcome you to visit our resource center to learn more.
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"Patients will be discharged from hospice if they do not die within six months."
Fact: There used to be a six-month regulation that penalized hospices and patients when a patient lived too long, but it was revised and there is no longer any penalty for an incorrect prognosis if the disease runs its normal course.
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"Patients in hospice must have a DNR order."
Fact: Medicare does not require a DNR order to enroll in hospice, but it does require that patients pursue palliative, not curative, treatment. Individual hospice organizations may require a DNR order before enrolling a patient.
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"Only patients with cancer are appropriate candidates for hospice."
Fact: Anyone with a life expectancy of less than six months and who chooses a palliative care approach is appropriate for hospice.
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"Hospice care ends when a patient dies."
Fact: Hospice programs provide families with bereavement support for up to one year following the death of the patient.
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"Patients are not eligible for hospice again if they revoke the hospice benefits."
Fact: Patients who want to return to hospice care can be readmitted as long as hospice conditions of participation are met.
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"Only Medicare-eligible patients may enroll in hospice."
Fact: Most commercial insurance companies have benefits that mimic the Medicare Hospice Benefit; individual hospices vary in their willingness to take uninsured patients.
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"Only physicians can refer patients to hospice."
Fact: Anyone can refer a patient to hospice (social worker, family member, friend).
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"Patients in nursing homes are not eligible for hospice."
Fact: Patients who want to return to hospice care can be readmitted as long as hospice conditions of participation are met.
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"Patients in hospice must have a primary caregiver."
Fact: Medicare does not require a primary caregiver, but this may be a requirement of some hospice organizations.
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"Hospice care precludes patients from being able to receive chemotherapy, blood transfusions, or radiation."
Fact: Medicare requires that hospice must cover all care related to the terminal illness; individual hospice agencies are allowed to determine whether a specific treatment is palliative (providing symptom relief), which will guide what treatments they are willing to cover.
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"Patients who have elected the hospice benefit can no longer access other health insurance benefits."
Fact: Hospice programs provide families with bereavement support for up to one year following the death of the patient.
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"Patients in hospice cannot be admitted to the hospital."
Fact: While the patient is enrolled in hospice, most insurance companies, including Medicare, will still cover hospital admissions for unrelated illnesses, as well as for the management of symptoms related to the terminal diagnosis, and respite care.
Our Continuum of Care
Whichever your situation may be, Eden Health is there to lend a helping hand from home care, to home health, palliative care, and hospice. Contact us to learn more about our services or to start the referral process.
