Referrals and Resources
The Earlier You Call, the More We Can Help.
Referrals
Anyone can call HospiceCare with a request for information. Referral information may be provided by the family/caregiver, health care clinicians from acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, or other agencies and physician offices.
A simple call: 303.449.7740, fax: 303.604.5372 or e-mail: referrals@hospicecareonline.org is all it takes.
Appointment
Our Admissions Coordinator assigns an Admissions Nurse to meet with the patient/ family to discuss HospiceCare services and conduct initial assessments of eligibility for services as promptly as possible or as ordered by the physician. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and pharmacy might be ordered either before or after the admission visit.
Admission Visit
The purpose of the admission visit will be:
- To provide education and explain HospiceCare philosophy and services.
- To determine patient/family goals and current concerns related to the patient’s care and disease process.
- To assess the patient's eligibility for hospice services according to HospiceCare’s admission guidelines to determine/confirm:
Level of services required
Eligibility (meets admission guidelines)
Source of payment (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance or other)
- To allow the patient/family/caregivers to ask questions and facilitate a decision for HospiceCare services especially those provided under the Medicare/Medicaid Hospice Benefit if applicable, including waiving the right to receive standard Medicare benefits related to the terminal illness.
- To give patient information about Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Advance Care Planning.
- Complete initial physical assessment.
Admission Guidelines
Patients are admitted to HospiceCare services based on the following information:
- Attending physician approval and participation
- Life expectancy measured in weeks or months if the illness runs its normal course.
Referrals are accepted regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, handicap (mental or physical), diagnoses, availability of primary caregiver, or ability to pay.
Call HospiceCare when you or your caregiver
- Would like to speak with someone from HospiceCare for information and to learn about options for care.
- Need advice about advance care planning or other end of life issues.
- Are concerned that your health is declining and you don’t want to go to the hospital again.
- Worry that you are in constant pain or it is out of control.
- Start to wonder “can I do this alone?”
- Are experiencing an urgent need to call the doctor more often.
- Are beginning to wonder whether treatments to fight the disease are doing any good and you’re thinking comprehensive comfort care is the way to go.
- Begin to feel like time is running out and are starting to wonder about “how much time is left?”
Discharge Criteria
Services will be discontinued if the patient, family or physician requests the discontinuation of service or the patient moves out of HospiceCare’s service area.
For more information visit the National Hospice and Palliative Hospice Organization’s website, www.nhpco.org for:
- Consumers Guide To Selecting a Hospice
- Consumers Guide to the Medicare Hospice Benefit
- Consumers Guide to Communicating End-of-Life Wishes
