The decision to begin hospice care is made by the patient in collaboration with their doctor and family. Many former patients, reflecting on the help and peace of mind their hospice care team gave them, said they wish they had begun hospice services sooner than they did.In general, a patient should consider hospice as soon as they decide to stop trying to cure their illness or prolong their life. If they qualify, hospice services can help optimize their comfort and quality of life, fulfill their wishes, provide practical and emotional support for the household, and guide any conversations loved ones need to have to resolve personal issues, make their end-of-life care plans, and get their affairs in order. Typically, insurance providers will approve hospice care when a medical doctor has given the patient a life-expectancy prognosis of 6 months or less. If a patient's condition stabilizes, they can go off hospice for a period, then go back onto hospice services if and when needed.