Anyone can make a hospice referral. Typically your physician will write you an order if he or she feels you are appropriate for the service or could benefit from our services. You can always contact our admissions staff for a consultation to determine if you are eligible for hospice care.
Rhythm of Life Hospice Care works under the guidance of your physician. He or she sees and approves all the plans of care, is invited to team conferences and continues to provide primary medical services. The Rhythm of Life staff hospice physician is available to your doctor for consultation and can make house calls for your convenience.
Yes. If the patient’s condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from Hospice and return to aggressive therapy. If a discharged patient should later need to return to Hospice Care, Medicare and most private payers allow additional coverage for this scenario.
Medicare patients are fully covered for all Rhythm of Life Hospice Care services related to their terminal illness. Private insurance and HMO plans will often cover hospice services through a specific hospice benefit or through hospital, home health or private duty benefits. Families are responsible for any remaining balance unpaid by insurers. It has been proven that Hospice Care is substantially less expensive than typical hospitalization or home health agency care. Our admissions coordinator can help you determine your eligibility for Medicare or insurance benefits and assist in finding resources for your family. Rhythm of Life provides Palliative Care regardless of race, religion, age, gender, marital status, disability or medical condition.
We provide continuing contact and support for family and friends for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one. We offer a variety of bereavement groups and support for anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a family member or friend. Intensive grief workshops for adults and children – as well has referrals to licensed therapists are available.
Not at all. Hospice Care is available to anyone who has a life-threatening or terminal illness – that has a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients can remain in hospice longer than six months if necessary.
No – this is not true. Hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care. The majority of hospice care takes place in the home where the person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings. We also provide Paliative Care to those in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and even hospitals. We provide services anywhere that you are – or call home.
