Services
Our Services
Comprehensive hospice and palliative care, coordinated by one team and covered by Medicare.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice provides comfort-focused care for those with a life-limiting illness. It addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and is most often delivered at home or in a care facility, wherever the patient calls home.
Questions families ask first
- Does choosing hospice mean giving up?
- No. Hospice focuses care on quality of life and comfort. Many patients live longer and more comfortably on hospice than off it.
- How quickly can hospice begin?
- Once a referral is received and eligibility is confirmed, care can begin the same day or the next day in most cases.
- Who pays for hospice care?
- Hospice is typically covered in full by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. Medica Hospice accepts Traditional Medicare with more plans coming soon.
- What is hospice care?
- Hospice is comfort-focused care for people with a life-limiting illness, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs at home or in a care facility.
- Who qualifies for hospice?
- Patients with a serious illness whose physician estimates a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its expected course.
- What services are covered?
- Physician oversight, nursing, social work, spiritual counseling, medications, medical equipment, therapies, aide services, respite care, and trained volunteers, all under one plan of care.
- Where is hospice care provided?
- Wherever the patient calls home: a private residence, nursing home, assisted living, or a hospital for inpatient-level care when needed.
- What are the levels of hospice care?
- Routine Home Care for day-to-day comfort, Continuous Home Care during a crisis, General Inpatient Care for symptoms that can't be managed at home, and Inpatient Respite Care so family caregivers can rest.
- What if the patient improves?
- Patients can be discharged from hospice if their condition stabilizes and may re-enroll later if it changes.
- Is grief support included?
- Yes. Bereavement support is part of the hospice benefit and is offered to family members for up to 13 months after a loss.
How Hospice Works
Personalized care plan
Built around the patient's diagnosis, wishes, and family situation.
Skilled compassionate team
Nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers.
On-call support
Real clinicians available when something changes, day or night.
Family involvement
Education, emotional guidance, and bereavement support throughout.
Covered Services
- Physician oversight
- Nursing care
- Social work services
- Grief and spiritual counseling
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Medications related to the illness
- Therapies (PT, OT, Speech)*
- Short-term inpatient care
- Respite care
- Trained volunteers
- Aide and homemaker services
*Therapies require prior authorization by the hospice medical team.
Levels of Care
Routine Home Care
Day-to-day comfort care wherever the patient lives: home, nursing home, or assisted living.
Continuous Home Care
Around-the-clock nursing during periods of crisis to keep the patient at home.
General Inpatient Care
Short-term hospital or facility care for symptoms that can't be managed at home.
Inpatient Respite Care
Up to five days of facility care so family caregivers can rest.
When to Consider Hospice
Common signs that a hospice evaluation may be appropriate:
- Multiple falls or increased frailty
- Uncontrolled pain
- Frequent ER or hospital visits
- Progressive weight loss
- Declining mental or physical abilities
- Needing help with daily activities
- Overall health decline
Who Pays for Hospice?
Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. We accept Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Advantage, UnitedHealthcare Advantage, Humana Advantage, and HealthSpring Advantage. In some cases, families may choose to pay out of pocket.
Where Care is Provided
- Patient's home
- Nursing home
- Assisted living
- Hospital (for inpatient care)
- Personal care home
Compassionate care begins with a conversation.
Whether you're a family member or a healthcare professional, we're here when you're ready to talk.