The patient, family, and physician must agree that enrollment in the program is beneficial to the patient and family. Any resident of Mercer County or of parts of Crawford, Lawrence, Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning counties is eligible for hospice services through UPMC Horizon. Volunteers Caring volunteers are an important part of hospice. After training, volunteers are assigned by a hospice nurse to work with patients and families. They may stay with the patient to give the family a much-needed break, offer the patient and caregiver social and emotional support, run errands, shop, or provide transportation for the patient.
Volunteers serve in many ways, but they can be best described as good friends and neighbors.
Payment Hospice care costs are usually covered by the home health benefits of Medicare, Medicaid, or most private insurance policies. Arrangements can be made through the Business Office for uninsured patients who require hospice services. Donations Contributions can be made directly to the UPMC Horizon Hospice Program. The Hospice Memorial Fund can be used to assist with in-home respite care. Accreditation UPMC Horizon 's Hospice Program has been accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.