What Is Hospice?
Hospice is a specialized form of medical care designed for individuals who are living with a terminal illness and have chosen to focus on comfort, quality of life, and dignity rather than curative treatments. Hospice care does not hasten death and it does not mean giving up — it means redirecting the full resources of a professional care team toward keeping the patient comfortable, managing symptoms effectively, and supporting the patient and family through one of life's most significant transitions.
Hospice care is provided wherever the patient calls home. For most of our patients, that means their own house or apartment, but hospice can also be delivered in assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and skilled nursing homes. The hospice team comes to the patient — there is no need to travel to a hospital or clinic.
Who Is Eligible?
A patient may be eligible for hospice care when a physician certifies that, if the illness follows its expected course, the patient's life expectancy is six months or less. Eligibility does not mean the patient has only six months to live — many patients receive hospice care for longer — and patients may revoke hospice at any time to return to curative treatment if they choose.
Common diagnoses among hospice patients include advanced cancer, end-stage heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, end-stage renal disease, liver disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, and stroke-related decline, though hospice is available for any terminal condition.
How Is Hospice Paid For?
For most patients, hospice care is covered at no cost under the Medicare Hospice Benefit (Medicare Part A). Medicaid also covers hospice in most states, and the majority of private insurance plans include a hospice benefit. GLC Hospice verifies benefits and manages all insurance coordination on behalf of the family, so there are no surprise bills or confusing paperwork.
If a patient does not have insurance coverage, we encourage the family to call us anyway. We are committed to helping every eligible patient access the care they need, and we will work with the family to explore every available option.
When Should You Call?
Many families wait too long to explore hospice — not because they don't want help, but because they are unsure whether the time is right. As a general guide, it may be time to consider hospice if the patient has been hospitalized multiple times in recent months, the patient's condition is declining despite treatment, daily activities like eating, bathing, and moving around the home have become significantly more difficult, the focus of care has shifted from curing the illness to managing symptoms and maintaining comfort, or the family is feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving.
You do not need to wait for a doctor to bring up hospice. Families can call us directly, and we will help you understand your options, answer your questions, and — if hospice is appropriate — coordinate with the patient's physician to begin care.