Hospice emphasizes quality, rather than length of life . The hospice movement stresses human values that go beyond the physical needs of the patient. Patients and families are included in the decision-making process, and bereavement counseling is provided to the family after the death of their loved one. For hospice patients and their families, help is just a phone call away. Patients routinely receive periodic in-home services of a nurse, home health aide, social worker, volunteer, and other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.
Hospice care is a covered benefit under most private insurance plans.
In addition, hospice is a covered benefit, and in some states is a covered Medicaid benefit. Although hospice services are often covered by insurance, such payments rarely cover the full cost of care. Hospices must therefore rely to a great extent on grants and community support. While each hospice has its own policies concerning payment for care, it is a principle of hospice to offer services based upon need, rather than the ability to pay. 377 Court Street, Bldg.