Frequently Asked Questions

When is it time for hospice?

When people think about hospice, they think about care given in the last days or hours of life. However, hospice care is available much earlier and is more effective when started early. Some patients even live longer with hospice care. Those that do use hospice services early often see increased comfort, better symptom management, and better quality of life overall.
Anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less is eligible for hospice services. You should start thinking about hospice for your loved one if they have experienced any combination of these symptoms.

General Decline

  • Increased falls
  • Weight loss
  • Increased pain
  • Hospitalizations
  • Recurring Infections
  • Increased weakness—decline in ability to perform daily tasks

Life-Limiting Illness

  • Kidney Disease
  • Lung Disease
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Parkinson’s
  • Cancer
  • And more

Most individuals needing hospice care qualify for Medicare. Original Medicare will cover everything related to a terminal illness, even if you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan. If you choose to still get covered services for conditions not related to your life limiting illness, you may still do so, but you may be required to pay any deductibles and coinsurances amounts.

If you have Medicare Part A and meet the following conditions, you are eligible for the hospice benefit:

  • A hospice doctor and your primary care doctor certify that you’re terminally ill with less than 6 months to live
  • You choose to no longer pursue curative treatment and instead accept comfort care
  • You sign a waiver electing hospice care for your terminal illness (you always have the ability to change your mind)

Envision Hospice is happy to provide you with the best hospice services in Washington and Colorado. However, if you are outside of our service areas, there are many options available to you to help you find another provider.

  • Talk to your doctor
  • Consult your insurance provider – if you are a part of a non-Medicare plan or a Medicare advantage plan, they can help you find a hospice provider they are associated with in your area.
  • Call your state hospice organization. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find the number for your state hospice organization
  • For Medicare approved hospice providers, visit medicare.gov/care-compare

Hospice covers everything related to your terminal illness – including medical equipment, medication, medical supplies, and in-home visits from your interdisciplinary hospice team. Supplies and equipment will be brought to your home for your convenience.

When you begin your hospice journey, your interdisciplinary team will work with you to develop an individualized plan of care. During your time on hospice, your care team will make periodic visits to your home as prescribed in your care plan to monitor changes in your condition. A medical director will supervise your care plan and will work with the interdisciplinary team to make changes as needed.

Hospice care can be stopped at any point you choose. You can also re-start hospice care whenever you are ready.

Yes. Your interdisciplinary team will coordinate care with whatever other providers you wish to be involved in your care.

Hospice care is not about giving up hope, but about shifting the focus of care from curative treatment to providing comfort. It aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals in their final stages of life.

Hospice care is about providing comfort and support to individuals in the final stages of life. It does not aim to speed up or delay the natural dying process.

Hospice Myths

Myth: Hospice care can only be provided at home.
Reality: Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient resides, even in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family home.
Myth: Hospice is only provided in the last days of a person’s life.
Reality: Hospice is for people with a life limiting illness who have approximately six months of life remaining.
Myth: Hospice gives all patients strong morphine and makes them unable to interact with loved ones.
Reality: Hospice provides pain management in various ways to patients in need. Hospice works with the patient and family to find the best solution possible.