Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about hospice care, support, coverage, and what to expect.

Care

Learn more about hospice care, who it’s for, and what to expect throughout the journey.

Hospice is compassionate care that focuses on quality of life. Hospice is not used to cure the patients terminal illness but rather uses an interdisciplinary team that works together to provide expert medical care, symptom management, and emotional support tailored to the patient and their family. Hospice can be provided wherever a patient calls home.
Hospice is for people with a life limiting illness who choose to focus on quality of life and is suggested for people who have a life expectancy of six months for less if the disease runs its normal course.
Physicians, patients, and families should consider hospice services when medical treatments can no longer cure their disease and/or the symptom burden outweighs the benefits of treatment. Hospice services can begin when a doctor decides the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less. Hospice services are more efficacious if provided for months rather than days or hours. There is general dissatisfaction among families who believe their loved ones were referred to hospice too late.
Because hospice is based on a personalized care plan and not a specific location, most patients can choose to receive hospice care in the familiar surroundings of their own home. They can also choose to receive hospice care at a relative’s or a friend’s home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. If you are currently hospitalized or need specialized medical assistance, you can also opt to receive care in a hospital.
If your illness improves or you wish to seek curative treatment, you are free to leave hospice care whenever you choose.
Anyone can make a hospice referral. The patient’s information will be taken and the patient’s doctor contacted to discuss whether an assessment of the patient for hospice is appropriate.

Family

Guidance and support for families as they care for and walk alongside someone they love.

Calling hospice doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve made a final decision. Sometimes, it simply means you have questions and want to learn more about what hospice care could offer you or someone you love.
Hospice may be appropriate when a person has a life-limiting illness and the focus of care is beginning to shift from curing the illness to providing comfort, managing symptoms, and supporting quality of life. A physician may also recommend hospice when they believe a person may have six months or less to live if the illness follows its expected course. You don’t have to know whether hospice is the right choice before you call. We’re here to answer questions and help you understand your options.
The first step is simply reaching out. Anyone can request a hospice evaluation—you do not have to wait for a physician to make a referral. A physician may also recommend hospice or provide families with hospice options. To begin hospice services, a physician must certify that the patient meets hospice eligibility requirements and has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course.
Once we receive a referral, a member of our team will connect with the patient and family to arrange a time to meet. During the evaluation, our admissions nurse will learn more about the patient’s needs, answer questions, explain what hospice care can provide, and work with the patient and family to develop a plan of care that reflects their wishes and goals.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before calling us. We can help guide you through the process one step at a time.
Not at all. Choosing hospice doesn’t mean giving up—it means choosing a different kind of care. When curative treatment is no longer effective, no longer desired, or the burdens of treatment outweigh the benefits, hospice shifts the focus toward comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
Hospice care helps manage pain and other symptoms while providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support for both the patient and their family. Our goal is to help patients spend their time as comfortably and meaningfully as possible, surrounded by the people and things that matter most to them.
Hospice isn’t about giving up on life. It’s about making the most of the time that remains.
Yes. Family input is an important part of hospice care. Our team works closely with the patient and family to develop an individualized plan of care that reflects the patient’s wishes, needs, and goals. We encourage families to ask questions, share concerns, and be involved in care decisions throughout the hospice journey.
Hospice is a team approach, and you are an important part of that team.
When your loved one dies, you won’t have to navigate the next steps alone. Our hospice team is available to provide guidance and support, answer questions, and help you understand what happens next.
A hospice nurse will confirm the death, provide respectful care for your loved one, and assist with the necessary notifications and arrangements. We will also coordinate with the funeral home when the family is ready. There is no need to rush; families may have time to sit with their loved one, say goodbye, or wait for other family members to arrive when circumstances allow.
Our support doesn’t end at the time of death. Cardinal Hospice continues to provide bereavement support and resources to help families through the grieving process.

Billing

Understand how hospice care is covered, what costs you can expect, and the financial questions families often have when beginning hospice.

Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans. For eligible patients, these benefits generally cover hospice services related to the terminal illness, including visits from the hospice care team, medications for pain and symptom management, medical equipment, and necessary supplies.
Coverage can vary depending on the patient’s insurance plan and individual circumstances. Our team can help verify hospice benefits, explain what is covered, and answer any questions about potential costs before care begins.
If you’re unsure about coverage, give us a call. We can help you understand your options and what to expect.
Not having insurance does not necessarily mean hospice care is out of reach. If a patient is uninsured, our team will work with the patient and family to understand their situation and explore available options for covering the cost of care.
Depending on the individual’s circumstances, options may include eligibility for other benefits, self-pay arrangements, or assistance through charitable and community resources. Our team can help families understand what resources may be available and discuss the next steps.
We encourage families to contact us with questions about cost or coverage. Financial concerns should never keep you from reaching out to learn about your options.