‍Highlights of Hospice Care at Home

• 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurances,
• 24/7 Nursing on-call services so we can assist you when you need it the most,
• Medication that is related to the patient's hospice primary diagnosis is covered at 100%,
• The cost of medical equipment (i.e., bed, wheelchair, oxygen, & more) is covered at 100%,
• Supplemental personal supplies such as diapers, underpads, wipes, razors, and bathing supplies are provided at no cost to you.
• Access to hospice homes across Georgia,
• A dedicated & experienced hospice team of Doctors, Home Aides, Nurses, Chaplains, Social Workers, Grief Counselors, & Volunteers,
• Hospice comfort care in the convenience of your home surrounded by friends and family!

Hospice services are provided in the patient's home, whether it be a private residence, nursing home, assisted living community, or alternative setting. This level of service is referred to as routine home care under the Medicare program.

The Cost of Hospice Care at Home

Hospice care is typically covered at 100% by Medicare(1) Part A and Medicaid, and you usually should have no out-of-pocket costs or surprise bills. Reimbursements are handled directly between our hospice and Medicare or Medicaid. This covers the cost of all of our hospice services, including medical equipment, supplemental personal supplies, and medication-related to your primary hospice diagnosis.

Many private insurance plans provide coverage for some or all of the cost of our hospice services. Please contact us directly, and we will be happy to contact your insurance provider to confirm benefits coverage.

How do I qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit?

You must meet the following conditions to qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit(2):

• Have both your primary doctor and the hospice doctor certify that you have a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
• Acknowledge that you wish to receive comfort care in place of treatment aimed at curing your disease.
• Be eligible for Medicare Part A coverage. You can see if you qualify by clicking here.
  

Communication During Hospice Services

Clear and honest communication between the hospice team and your family is the foundation for a successful hospice experience. The information we learn from your family will help develop a successful care plan. The care plan will incorporate the priorities your family has communicated to us, the hospice team's visit frequencies, and our overall plan to help manage the symptoms and psycho-social needs of the patient and caregiver. Our hospice team will constantly adapt the care plan to meet the evolving needs of the patient.

Hospice Team Visit Frequencies

Hospice care at home provides scheduled visits in the house by various hospice team members to meet both patient's and caregiver's physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Visit our frequently asked questions section to learn more about the various hospice team members and their roles within the hospice interdisciplinary team. 

Visit frequencies are determined by the hospice team on admission and are adjusted regularly according to changes in the patient's condition. 

Typically, you can expect a nurse visit weekly, although Medicare requires a Registered Nurse visit at least once every fourteen days. However, a nurse will be available 24/7, 365 days a year, via our on-call nursing services. Call our on-call hospice line and get connected to a hospice nurse at any time of the day. The nurse will attempt to address your concerns over the phone and, if need be, visit your home to ensure symptoms are managed, and your concerns are addressed. 

Home Aides, also referred to as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), will typically do multiple visits per week. While the Social Worker and Chaplain will normally visit 1-2 times per month or as requested. Volunteers are also available on an as-needed basis to help support the family and provide companionship to the patient.

While we are always available to you and your family, hospice does not provide 24/7 in-home care as a nursing home or assisted living community would. The hospice team trains the designated primary caregiver to provide daily hands-on care. If financial means permit, you may want to consider a private duty nurse or caregiver for additional support. Alternatively, our hospice social worker can work with your family to see if you qualify for social programs that provide additional support throughout the day.

A patient may qualify for Continuous Hospice Care in cases where pain or symptoms become uncontrollable.

Medication Management

Medication will be reviewed regularly by your hospice nurse case manager and doctor during scheduled visits or based on feedback by the patient and their family. Additionally, every two weeks, the interdisciplinary hospice team will meet and perform an in-depth review of each patient's medication profile.

Our hospice team will ensure you and your family understand the purpose of each medication, when to take them, and how to administer them. We encourage you to call your nurse case manager or our 24/7 nurse on-call line at any time should you have any questions about your medication.

Medical Equipment and Personal Supplies

Through developing a care plan in conjunction with you and your family, our hospice team will identify the required medical equipment to ensure the patient is comfortable at home. Medical equipment is provided at no cost to you and may include: a hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen, walker, mattress gel cushion, and any other items a patient may need. We have an extensive list of equipment we can provide and will be happy to review it all with you and your family. All medical equipment is sanitized before being placed in your home, and we will replace any item that does not meet your expectations.

Supplemental supplies are also provided as part of our hospice services at no cost to you. However, the service is not intended to provide all supplies. Standard supplemental supplies include: diapers, underpads, wipes, razors, and bathing supplies are provided at no cost to you.

Hospice Services Provide Comfort and Guidance to Families

Home Hospice of Georgia has a track record of success in helping support families across Georgia. We were named the best hospice in Georgia in 2020 and the best hospice in Gwinnett County 3-years in a row. The strength of our hospice lies in the experience and passion our team has for caring for patients and families going through one of the most emotionally taxing experiences of their lives. 

We encourage you to contact us to see how we can best support you and your family. Even if it may not be the right time for hospice, we are happy to connect you with the community's appropriate resources and help guide you through any questions you may have. 

Whether you are looking for hospice services in Atlanta, hospice care in Lawrenceville, hospice in Decatur, or in any city across the 20 counties we serve, we would be honored to participate and support you and your family along your hospice journey.