Frequently Asked Questions
Hospice providers are experts in managing symptoms such as pain, breathing
difficulty, and anxiety.
They are also skilled in providing emotional and spiritual support to patients
and families as death is approaching.
Home Health United Hospice staff are dedicated to helping individuals facing
terminal illness to experience the best quality of life possible.
People are often eligible for hospice when they are facing the end-stage of a chronic illness, their health status is declining, or their disease is progressing and not responding to curative treatments. Hospice serves patients with a variety of diagnoses including heart or lung disease, end stage Alzheimer’s disease, kidney failure, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. Patients of all ages benefit from hospice services.
Anyone can refer a patient to hospice services. It may be a family member, physician or clergy member. A call to Home Health United central intake staff can begin the process. Each patient is then provided information regarding hospice services and makes the decision about signing on.
Hospice patients can receive services in the environment they choose. The hospice team will come to their own home, the home of a family member, a nursing home, senior apartments or assisted living facility.
The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the services hospice provides. In addition, the benefit pays for many types of home medical equipment including hospital beds. Medications related to the terminal illness are generally covered when approved by the hospice team. Many HMOs and private insurance companies also provide coverage for hospice services.