Can a Patient Go to the Hospital After Starting Hospice Care?

Can a Patient Go to the Hospital After Starting Hospice Care?

Yes, a hospice patient can go to the hospital after starting hospice care when the need arises, especially for issues that cannot be managed at home. However, hospital visits are usually discouraged unless the situation is urgent or unrelated to the terminal illness.

Can a Hospice Patient Go to the Emergency Room?

Yes, a hospice patient may go to the emergency room if they have a medical emergency that cannot be treated at home. It is best to contact the hospice care team first so they can guide the best steps and ensure proper coverage and care.

What Happens When a Hospice Patient Goes to the Hospital?

When a hospice patient goes to the hospital, the hospice care team works with the hospital staff to manage the patient’s comfort. If the visit is for something unrelated to the terminal illness, hospice may temporarily pause while hospital care takes over. The goal is for the patient to return home or to their care setting as soon as possible.

Even under hospice care, unexpected problems can happen. A fall, a broken bone, or a new illness may mean a trip to the hospital is needed. Hospice focuses on comfort for symptoms connected to the terminal diagnosis, but unrelated emergencies sometimes call for outside help.

Hospice teams work hard to manage symptoms and provide comfort at home. When something occurs that cannot be controlled or managed outside a hospital, temporary hospital care may become necessary. The hospice care team helps families decide what steps are best and explains the possible impacts on coverage and care.

Before heading to the hospital, patients and families should call their hospice care team. The team assesses the situation and gives guidance. They may be able to send a nurse to your home or talk you through next steps over the phone.

The hospice team can coordinate any hospital care needed, ensuring coverage continues if the issue is not related to the terminal illness. If you call an ambulance or go to the ER without hospice involvement, costs may not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.

If hospital care is needed, the hospice care team stays involved. They provide information to hospital staff about the patient’s diagnosis, current treatment, and do-not-resuscitate wishes. The goal is to keep care aligned with the patient’s wishes and comfort.

In most cases, the hospital visit is short. Once the patient is stable, they return home or to their care setting, and hospice support resumes. Hospice can also arrange for a higher level of care, such as continuous home care, instead of extended hospital care.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private plans pay for hospital care only when it involves issues unrelated to the terminal illness and only when arranged through hospice. Visits to outside doctors or emergency rooms without hospice coordination can lead to uncovered bills and potential loss of hospice status.

Patients in hospice can decide to stop hospice services at any time. If they want to pursue treatments again or if a new option appears, they can leave hospice and later return when ready, as long as they still qualify.