Question 1

What are your working hours?

Accepted Answer

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer compassionate care and personalized assistance.

Question 2

Do patients have to switch to a hospice doctor?

Accepted Answer

No. A patient may stay with his or her own physician. CB Homecare Hospice medical director or physician will work closely and coordinate with the patient's existing physician, if the patient chooses to do so.

Question 3

Where is hospice care administered?

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is brought to the patient, whether it's in a nursing home, a residential care facility, or in the comfort of a family home. Our caring team of professionals will assist the patient and their family in coordinating a program that best suits theie needs.

Question 4

Is hospice care only for cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

While some number of cancer patients commonly receive hospice care, many hospice patients have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, dementia, chronic lung disease, or other conditions.

Question 5

Are hospice services only for patients?

Accepted Answer

No. Hospice patients primarily receive compassionate care and emotional, physical and mental support. The family members of patients however, also receive personalized assistance and standby spiritual, mental and emotional support, bereavement, chaplain or clergy services and volunteer assistance.

Question 6

How long can patients receive hospice care?

Accepted Answer

For as long as the patient continues to meet the eligiblity criteria, the Medicare benefit and most private insurance will cover the cost of hospice care. For example, a patient may receive hospice care and his or her medical condition might get better such that the patient may be released from hospice care, and then might be enrolled back into our hospice care when it is needed.

Question 7

If a patient is neither covered by Medicare or MediCal, what are other payment options?

Accepted Answer

If the patient does not have either Medicare or MediCal, another payment option is through private insurance or an HMO, both also include a hospice benefit. Moreover, CB Homecare Hospice is also committed to help find other available financial resources for patients who do not qualify for federal assistance or do not have insurance. Other payment options for these patients are self-pay and charitable organizations.

Question 8

How much is the cost of hospice care and who pays for it?

Accepted Answer

Most people who use Medicare are eligible for *Medicare Hospice Benefit with 100% coverage of the cost of care related to the terminal illness. Medicaid (MediCal in California) also covers hospice and palliative care. Hospice care covered include visits by a nurse, physician and other healthcare professionals to therapy, medication and supplies.

Question 9

If a patient receives hospice care, does this mean that the patient will die soon?

Accepted Answer

Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones the end of life. It is predicated on the belief that through sensitivity, appropriate care, and the support of a caring community, terminally ill patients and their families can begin to prepare, mentally and spiritually, to face the inevitable challenges ahead. Hospice does not mean giving up on hope or that death is necessarily inevitable. In certain cases, some patients may recover from their illness and be released from hospice care.

Question 10

Who is eligible for hospice care? What are the admission criteria?

Accepted Answer

An attending physician and the hospice physician must concur that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if an illness runs its normal course. The patient must agree that he or she wishes to receive palliative rather than curative care, with the goal of living out the rest of his or her life with comfort and minimal pain as possible. CB Homecare Hospice may also conduct a patient evaluation and assist the referred patient and his or her family in determining whether hospice care is appropriate.

Question 11

What is a hospice?

Accepted Answer

Hospice is not a place or merely a healthcare facility, but rather a special concept of care available to those who have life-limiting illnesses. Even when medicine can no longer offer a cure, the care, comfort and assistance a Hospice can offer to a patient help maintain the quality of life.