Admissions Criteria | Hospice Calumet Area

Admissions criteria

Basic criteria

Key considerations

Hospice of the Calumet Area services are available to everyone regardless of ability to pay.
Hospice of the Calumet Area receives reimbursement from Medicare/Medicaid as well as from private insurance companies.
Patients on the Medicare/Medicaid hospice benefit have all needs relative to the terminal illness covered with no deductibles or co-payment. That includes medications, oxygen, hospital bed or any other needed home medical equipment or supplies. The attending physician continues to bill as usual.
Patients who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid and have no private insurance coverage may be eligible for hospice care at reduced or no charge, and hospice will implement all available means to meet other related needs.

Initiating referral

Family members, friends, healthcare professionals or patients may request hospice services. Although all patients must have an attending physician for admission to the program, the initial referral can come directly from someone close to the patient.
Each case is assessed on an individual basis to determine the appropriateness for admission.
Although hospice criteria allows for patients to be admitted with a six-month prognosis, too often patients are referred in the last weeks of their lives. The earlier a patient is admitted to the program, the greater the benefit to the patient and family.