In Tulsa, Oklahoma, those who meet the eligibility requirements for hospice care can get a wide range of services in the comfort of their own home. Physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains and other skilled professionals provide support, with a goal of enhancing quality of life.
To enroll in hospice care, an individual must meet the criteria established by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Here, the Suncrest team explains the rules governing eligibility for in-home hospice services.
Terminal Diagnosis
Hospice care is only considered when someone has a terminal diagnosis, or to put it another way, a diagnosis of a health condition that has no cure and is likely to lead to death. Any illness or disease that meets this requirement can qualify for hospice, including the following:
- AIDS
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Chronic kidney disease
- Dementia
- Emphysema
- Huntington’s disease
- Liver disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurological disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
This list isn’t all-inclusive, of course. Tulsa residents who have been diagnosed with other terminal health conditions can also choose hospice care, provided they meet the next two eligibility requirements.
Six-Month Prognosis
For an individual to qualify for hospice care, they must have both a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis or expected lifespan of six months or less. This prediction is based on the normal course of their condition and the available treatments, but certain signs and symptoms can indicate eligibility for hospice care. These include:
- Increasing fatigue and weakness
- More frequent hospital visits
- Significant weight loss
- Changes in cognitive and mental abilities
- Difficulty performing daily living tasks
- Escalating pain or out-of-control symptoms
Ultimately, though, hospice isn’t intended to be long-term care, and only individuals who are expected to live for six months or less are eligible. However, that doesn’t mean services have to stop at the six-month mark – as long as a physician continues to certify that they have a limited life expectancy, hospice care remains a choice.
Choosing Comfort
Having a terminal diagnosis and a predicted prognosis of six months or less isn’t enough to qualify someone for hospice care. As per the CMS regulations, the individual must be prepared to discontinue any further curative treatment, accepting comfort measures instead. In the realm of hospice care, choosing comfort means:
- Stopping medications that are uncomfortable to take
- No longer having to undergo blood draws and needle sticks
- Seeing screening tests and diagnostic studies come to an end
- Starting medications and therapies that alleviate discomfort
- Receiving emotional, psychological and spiritual support
In addition, the very choice of hospice care is a comfort measure in itself. The vast majority of Tulsa patients are able to receive services at their own homes or wherever they currently live. Those who qualify for in-home hospice can remain content in their surroundings, while also finding comfort in having loved ones nearby.
How to Start the Hospice Process
Both Medicare and the Oklahoma Medicaid program offer full coverage for hospice care, provided a patient meets the eligibility requirements outlined above. The costs are covered by military benefits and most private insurance plans as well. In any case, anyone can make a referral to hospice – a physician, a loved one or even the patient themselves.
When someone makes the call to a Tulsa hospice agency, a representative comes out for a consultation. The meeting is typically free of charge and comes with no obligation to accept services. Family and friends are welcome to attend, assuming the patient agrees, and the consult generally involves:
- A comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s condition
- An explanation of the four levels of hospice care
- A description of the hospice services available
- A breakdown of what’s expected of family caregivers
At this point, if the individual is satisfied with the hospice agency, the necessary paperwork for admission into the program can be completed and signed. This step doesn’t need to happen immediately, however – the enrollment process can be completed during a separate visit, whenever the patient decides.
Contact Suncrest Hospice of Tulsa Today
Despite what many people think, looking into hospice doesn’t mean giving up hope – Tulsa hospice agencies like Suncrest do all they can to help the terminally ill make the most of their remaining time. With that in mind, if someone you hold dear meets the requirements, you’ll want them to enjoy the benefits of hospice care for as long as possible.
At Suncrest Hospice of Tulsa, a leading Medicare-certified hospice agency, we make it easy for everyone to get the services they need. Just complete our online referral form, and we’ll arrange to have a member of our team come out for a consultation. Or, if you like, give us a call to discuss your options with a hospice specialist. Either way, we’ll make every effort to meet your needs.
Do you think that a family member or close friend might be eligible for hospice care? For more information, or to schedule a meeting and find out if they qualify, contact Suncrest in Tulsa, Oklahoma, today.
