FAQs - Harris Hospice

You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

While we understand that everyone’s situation is unique, many frequently asked questions are answered below.

Who qualifies?

Any person who has a limited life expectancy that has been medically diagnosed with life-threatening illness. Hospice care is appropriate when a doctor, along with the patient and their family, decide that the patient may no longer benefit from a curative treatment. Patients may be discharged if their condition improves or if the disease goes into remission. Hospice care may be resumed at a later time if necessary.

Who pays for hospice?

Harris Hospice is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, or by most Private Insurance.
There will be absolutely no out of pocket expenses for care related to the hospice diagnosis.

What does hospice really do?

Hospice provides specialized care services (patient care including symptom management, emotional support, spiritual support and psychosocial intervention), addressing issues most important to the patient’s needs and wants at the end of their life and focusing on improving the individual’s quality of life.

How do I know when it is time for end-of-life care?

Patients are eligible for hospice care when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. At that time, comfort, care, and symptom management become the primary focus, and curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.

When should hospice be called?

Hospice should be called at any time the patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. It is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice.

Where is hospice care provided?

Hospice care is provided in a setting that best meets the needs of each patient and family. The most common setting is the patient’s home. Hospice care is also provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals according to patient care needs.

Are all hospices the same?

No. “Hospice” is a medical specialty like pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, etc. Each hospice provider is a different company. All hospices have the same general philosophy but their services may differ. It is your right to request the hospice of your choice if more than one hospice serves your area.

Can my pain and symptoms be controlled at home?

Yes. Pain and other symptoms can usually be controlled in the patient’s home. If a symptom (i.e., pain, nausea or vomiting, or difficulty breathing) becomes a problem, the hospice nurse can be reached 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

There have been great advances in pain and symptom control in the past few years. Most symptoms can be controlled without the use of injections or IV medication. The hospice nurses assess each patient’s pain and symptom control at each visit. Hospice medical director is always available to adjust medications.

Does Hospice provide 24-hour in-home care?

No. Hospice provides intermittent nursing visits to assess, monitor and treat symptoms, as well as teach family and caregivers the skills they need to care for the patient. Team members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions or visit anytime the need for arises.

Is the decision for hospice care giving up hope or waiting to die?

No. Hospice is about living. Hospice strives to bring quality of life and comfort to each patient and their family. Our successes are in helping a patient and family live fully until the end. Often patients will feel better with good pain and symptom management. Hospice is an experience of care and support, different from any other type of care.

Can I live alone and still have Hospice services?

Yes. However, part of the admission and ongoing care process is to plan and prepare for the time in a patient’s illness when 24-hour a day care will be necessary.

Can a hospice patient choose to return to curative treatment?

Yes. Receiving hospice care is always a choice. A patient may leave hospice and return to curative treatment if that is their choice. If the patient later chooses to return to hospice care, Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies permit re-activation of the hospice benefit.

Can I go back to the hospital and still receive hospice care?

Yes. However, many symptoms that would normally require hospitalization or an ER visit can be successfully managed at home by the hospice team, thus preventing the stress of hospitalization.

Does hospice do anything to bring death sooner?

No. The goal is always to alleviate suffering and manage symptoms. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. Our role is to lend support, promote quality and manage symptoms so the patient and family are as comfortable as possible.

Do I have to be homebound to receive hospice services?

No. Hospice is about living fully. We encourage patients to do what they enjoy as they are able. The hospice team assists patients and families in achieving their goals and dreams as much as possible.

Does hospice provide support to the family after the patient dies?

Yes. Bereavement Services follow family and caregivers for a year following the patient’s death. These services may include personal visits, providing information concerning the grief process and offering periodic opportunities for group support. Bereavement Services provides information and referral to other area resources when needed.