Hospice Eligibility

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, there are likely a world of emotions that consume you – sadness, disbelief, confusion, and anxiety. Many if not most patients and their families know little about hospice eligibility, what’s covered by Medicare, and next steps in providing quality healthcare, specifically hospice care.

Midtown Hospice supports patients, families, and healthcare professionals in understanding hospice eligibility requirements so that no matter where a patient is in disease progression, the focus can remain on the patient’s comfort and quality of life at every stage of life.

There are 2 basic eligibility requirements that apply to all patients seeking hospice care:

Diagnosis of a terminal illness and the physician believes the patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease runs its expected course
The patient wishes to focus on comfort versus curative treatment

The most common signs that indicate the need for a hospice evaluation include:

Frequent hospitalizations or trips to the ER over the past 6 months
Recurring infections over the past 6 months
Unexplained weight loss within the past 3-6 months
Increased fatigue and weakness
Frequent falls over the past 6 months
Changes in mental, cognitive, or functional ability
Decreased appetite or difficulty swallowing
Increased pain and the need for more or stronger pain medication
Frequent calls to the physician’s office
More assistance is needed with daily activities such as bathing, getting out of bed or a chair, getting dressed, walking, and eating

If you or a loved one has shown any of these signs, contact our office today

to schedule a hospice consultation.