When is it time to refer patients to hospice?
Patients are eligible for hospice care once a physician certifies that an individual's life expectancy is six months or less, if the illness runs its normal course.
If a patient meets the medical guidelines,they are eligible to receive hospice care. Some patients may not meet the medical guidelines, but often do still qualify for hospice care because of other co-morbidities or rapid functional decline. It is the physician's judgment when determining the normal course of an illness and a prognosis of six months or less.
Hospice of Spokane is committed to providing hospice care to anyone, of any age, with any illness regardless of their ability to pay.
Information obtained from:
ngsmedicare.com/NGSMedicare/lcd/L25678_active_lcd.htm dated 6.5.09. This sheet is designed as a fact-finding tool to help determine prognosis as it relates to making a hospice referral. This sheet is not intended to be used to formulate diagnosis and does not confirm/rule out hospice qualification. If the patient meets the factors you may wish to make a referral to Hospice of Spokane. You may do so by calling 509.456.0438 or filling out the online referral form at http://hospiceofspokane.org/admissions.html.
Primary Indicators
Chooses comfort care
Loses function/shows physical decline
Experiences hospitalization/ER visits more frequently
Depends on others for help in most daily-living tasks
Has multiple co-morbidities
Exhibits notable weight loss
Qualifying Admissions Guidelines for Hospice CarePlease click on the following links to view the illness specific guidelines for hospice care.