For Healthcare Professionals
Hospice care can begin when a doctor comes to the patient and/or family with a difficult decision they have to make. The doctor, after examining the patient, makes the determination that the patient has a terminal illness with an anticipated life span of six months or less. The family then has to decide to continue aggressive treatment or to switch to palliative care, which means comforting but not curative.
Hospice of Knox County works with many fine doctors. We are in constant contact with them and follow their instructions. We are their eyes and ears, informing them at least every two weeks of the patient’s condition. As passage approaches, we are in constant communication, if need be, informing the doctor of changes and monitoring pain and other vital sign levels.
Who Should Be Referred for Hospice Care?
Hospice of Knox County provides comprehensive physical, emotional, and spiritual care for adults, children, and infants faced with an advanced or life-limiting illness.
Patients of all ages with any of the following illnesses may be appropriate for a hospice referral once eligibility criteria are met:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Severe birth defects
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Cardiovascular disorder
- End Stage Dementia
- Renal diseases
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Chronic heart failure
- Debility
- Failure to thrive
- Leukemia
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
Guides for Hospice Eligibility
Hospice of Knox County believes that everyone should have access to appropriate services. Insurance coverage is NOT a requirement for hospice care. Hospice of Knox County is a not-for-profit organization with special funds available for patients and families who have no ability to pay.
Eligibility Criteria:
Patients must meet the following eligibility criteria to be appropriate for hospice care:
- Adults, children and infants with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course
- Hospice can continue after six months as long as the patient continues to meet eligibility criteria
- Prognosis is certified by community and hospice physician
- Patient and family desire palliative care as opposed to curative treatment
Hospice of Knox County provides its services to eligible individuals throughout all of Knox County regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, diagnosis, financial status, or ability to pay.
Reimbursement for Services
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans based in the state of Ohio have a hospice benefit that covers most costs associated with hospice care.
The following benefits are covered when related to the hospice diagnosis:
- Home visits by the hospice team, which can include:
- Hospice case manager nurse
- Certified home health aide
- Social worker
- Chaplain
- Bereavement counselor
- Hospice volunteer
- Primary care physician*
- Hospice physician *
- Medications related to the hospice diagnosis
- Medical equipment / supplies
- Respite care
- Inpatient or crisis care
- Bereavement services
- Physical, speech and occupational therapy
- Music and pet therapy
- Dietary counseling
* if necessary
