HOSPICE ADMISSION CRITERIA

To be eligible to elect Hospice Care, an individual must fall under these requirements:

1.         The patient must be certified as being terminally ill, with a prognosis of six (6) months or less, if the disease follows its normal course, or as otherwise stated in their private insurance agreement.

2.         The patient’s attending physician initially certifies the terminal prognosis and gives approval for a Hospice evaluation and subsequent orders for Hospice care.

3.         The patient/family understands the Hospice concept of care as being comfort care, not curative in its goals.|

4.        The patient/family understands the Hospice concept of care as requiring the active participation of the family, if any, as care giving members of the Hospice team consistent with the capabilities of the family.

5.                  The patient/family understands that Hospice retains responsibility for determining the appropriate location for treatment. Patient/families admitted to the Hospice program are provided care at home, in the inpatient facility, Nursing Facility or Hospital, based on their needs as identified in the Hospice Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.

Final determination of eligibility for admission is made by the Hospice Medical Director in conjunction with the Hospice Interdisciplinary group.

Race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or national origin shall not be used as criteria for admission.

To be eligible for Living Well, an individual must have a life-limiting illness whose life expectancy is one year or less.