Hospice Care - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is palliative, or comfort-oriented care, rather than a curative (curing) type of care.

Under the direction of a doctor, Hospice focuses on pain and symptom control related to a terminal illness.

Hospice treats the person and the family, not the disease, by using a team approach. The team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, nutrition experts, home care aides, volunteers and pastors who address the medical, psychological and spiritual needs of both the person and family members.

After the person who is terminally ill passes away, the Hospice team continues to support the family for up to 13 months following the loved one’s death with a personalized point of care.

Who pays for Hospice care?

Most insurances plans pay for Hospice care. Hospice care is also covered under the Medicare and Medicaid benefit. Military personnel and their dependent family members are covered under CHAMPUS.

The Medicare Hospice benefit covers:

• Nursing services on an intermittent basis 
• Drugs for pain relief and symptom control
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy 
• Home care aide and homemaker services
• Spiritual, dietary and other counseling 
• Short-term inpatient care, including respite care
• Continuous care during times of crisis
• Physician Services
• Medical Supplies and Equipment
• Trained volunteers
• Bereavement services
• Medical social services

Where does Guthrie provide Hospice Care?

Guthrie provides Hospice care in the place where the terminally ill person lives. This could be their home, the home of a family member who will be caring for the terminally ill person or a nursing home. The Hospice patient will only be placed in a hospital if adjustments to care for pain or symptom control are needed or if caregivers determine that they need relief from giving care for a short period of time. In any situation, Hospice staff members are available 24 hours a day.

Which medications, supplies, hospital stays and equipment are paid for by the Hospice benefit?

All medications, supplies, hospital stays and equipment that are related to the terminal illness diagnosis are paid for by the Hospice benefit.

How does a person or family obtain Hospice care?

You need to tell your doctor or other healthcare provider when you want more information about Hospice care. A member of the Guthrie Hospice team would be happy to meet with you to discuss whether or not this type of care is appropriate for you or your family member.

 

Guthrie Hospice

RR 1 Box 154

Towanda, Pennsylvania 18848

1-888-598-6155

A member of the Guthrie Healthcare System