Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice

Hospice offer an affordable way to receive medical care at home. Many who access these benefits are over the age of 65 and are entitled to Medicare benefits which cover 100 percent of the cost of services and associated medication and supply costs. Medicaid and most commercial insurances also provide hospice coverage

Often, when patients elect hospice, it is their primary physician who authorizes, coordinates, and follows their care from start to finish. Your agency should work closely with the physician of your choice as they provide care. If the patient does not have a primary care physician and needs to be seen by a doctor, the hospice agency has Medical Directors who van visit the patient. Otherwise, recommendations can be made, and the agency can assist the patient in visiting another physician of their choice.

We can work with your physician to help facilitate this process. With a completed referral, we can typically see you within days.

Hospice is in-depth medical care. Most agencies are Medicare-certified which requires them to employ experienced medical personnel specifically trained in palliative modalities, techniques, and treatments to help achieve the desired outcome. Hospice offers state-of-the-art palliative care using advanced technologies to prevent or alleviate distressing symptoms. First Call employs only licensed and credentialed professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, aides, massage therapists, and medical dietitians.

Anyone under the care of a physician in need of hospice services is eligible. At First Call Hospice, we work to help people of all ages to recuperate and live life to the fullest in the comfort of their home.

Hospice is for anyone living with a type of life-limiting illness. Hospice is for people of all ages who are not seeking aggressive, curative treatment. Hospice is best when elected early as the patient, family and caregivers receive the help and support they need. Hospice is not a final choice or decision. Patients are free to stop services at any time.

Hospice is designed to support quality of life. When the burden of treatment outweighs the benefit and side effects of treatment, it might be time to consider hospice.

A diagnosis is the illness that is causing the symptoms the patient is experiencing. A prognosis is a prediction about how the illness will progress with an estimated timeline for changes.

According the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 13% of people on hospice lived beyond 6 months. 50% of patients will pass within three weeks.