Patients have the option to discontinue hospice care without the approval of their doctor. It is known as "revoking" hospice. Patients may opt to cease hospice services if they want to attempt curative therapies again. They can choose to have surgery or begin curative treatments once they have revoked hospice. The goal is to cure the disease even though the patient has entered into the last phase of life. Hospice care provides comfort measures for patients who are suffering from a serious illness and about to be terminally ill. It involves free medical care and pain management for patients at the end of their lives. By focusing on alleviating pain and other physical symptoms, hospice care allows patients to die with dignity. Hospice care cannot cure diseases or prevent deaths. It can only provide comfort during the final days or weeks of life. It is important for patients to understand that hospice is not a substitute for medical care. If a patient needs to go to the hospital, this could lead to denial of coverage by some insurance companies. For this reason, it's essential for patients to find out exactly what hospice covers before they enroll in a program. Hospice care is available in all 50 states. To be eligible for hospice care, patients must have a prognosis of six months or less to live and should be referred to a hospice agency by their physician.