Hospice of the Pines

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is a specialty of care that provides comfort to those who have a limited life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease follows its normal course. The focus is on the patient and their wishes for quality of life that is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals. This includes not just the needs of the patient, but also the family, caregivers, and loved ones.

How much does Hospice Care cost?

Hospice care is a Medicare benefit, which includes all costs related to the hospice diagnosis. The patient will not be billed for any hospice services. Hospice of the Pines accepts a number of insurance plans which vary based on your policy. Regardless of your inability to pay, Hospice of the Pines will assist you in getting the care you need.

Do I lose my Medicare if I choose Hospice?

No, you still keep your Medicare for medical care that is not related to the Hospice diagnosis.

Is Hospice a place?

No, hospice is not a place but a type of care that is provided in your home. Your home can be in an assisted living center, a skilled nursing center, or a care home.

Is all Hospice Care the same?

No, hospice care is not the same. The Medicare Hospice Benefit is the same for all hospice agencies but not all hospices provide the same services. You have a choice in what Hospice you choose. We have many hospices in Yavapai County. When choosing a Hospice ask about frequency and length of visits, what supplies and equipment are covered, and what medicines are covered. Interview several hospices to find the one that meets your family’s needs. 

You also have the right to change hospices.

Do I keep my doctor?

If you choose, you can keep your Primary Physician. The Hospice of the Pines Medical Director will participate in your care as well. If you prefer not to have your primary physician follow, you can have our Hospice Medical Director be your physician while under Hospice care. We will be happy to keep your primary care physician informed of your medical condition if you would like us to.

What are the levels of care provided?

The Medicare Hospice Benefit requires that Medicare certified hospices provide four levels of hospice care:

Routine Hospice Care:   The most common level of hospice care. A routine home care day is a day on which an individual who has elected to receive hospice care is at their residence, including a private residence, Assisted Living Facility or Skilled Nursing Facility.

Continuous Home Care:   Care provided for up to 24 hours a day to manage pain and other acute medical symptoms. Continuous home care services must be predominately nursing care, supplemented with homemaker and hospice aide services and are intended to maintain the patient at home during a pain or symptom crisis.

General Inpatient Care:   Provided for pain control or other acute symptom management that cannot feasibly be provided in any other setting. General Inpatient Care is started when other efforts to manage symptoms have been ineffective. General Inpatient Care cannot be provided in a private residence or an assisted living facility. General Inpatient Care can be provided in a Medicare certified facility that has a registered nurse available 24 hours a day to provide direct patient care.

Inpatient Respite Care:   Available to provide a break to the patient’s primary caregiver.   Respite care can be provided in Medicare certified facility. Respite care is provided for a maximum of 5 consecutive days.

How can I learn more about Hospice Care?

Give us a call at 928-632-0111 or 1-877-632-0111.   We can answer your questions over the phone or send a Hospice of the Pines team member to your home.

When can I call Hospice of the Pines?

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.   A hospice team member is always just a phone call away.

Visit us online @ www.hospiceofthepines.com