Frequently Asked Questions
For more answers, please call (405) 767-9033.
| Q: | Who pays for hospice care? |
The cost of hospice care is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies. Quality Life never charges co-pays to Medicare patients. We never turn away a patient because of inability to pay.
| Q: | Where is hospice care provided? |
Hospice services can be provided anywhere you call “home”, whether that is your own or family member’s private home or a residential care, assisted living or nursing facility.
| Q: | Aren't all hospices the same? |
No, even though all hospices are required by state and federal regulations to provide the same basic services, there can be a significant difference in how those services are provided. Hospices can choose to exceed the regulatory requirements and hold themselves accountable to higher standards of care. That’s the Quality Life Hospice approach.
| Q: | Does hospice shorten life? |
Hospice may actually prolong life in some patients. In a recent study, hospice patients on average lived 29 days longer than non-hospice patients. The right support, pain management and quality care can make a difference not only in the quality of life, but sometimes in the length of life.
| Q: | What qualifies someone for hospice care? |
To qualify, the patient:
- Must have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs it normal course.
- Must desire only palliative (comfort) care for the terminal illness.
- The patient’s attending physician must give orders to start hospice care.
It is important to understand that some patients may live longer than six months and may remain on hospice care so long as they continue to meet eligibility criteria.
| Q: | What types of illnesses can be treated by hospice? |
Any life limiting illness can be treated by hospice.
Some examples include:
- Adult Failure to Thrive (characterized by progressive weight loss and inability to perform self-care—often associated with old age)
- Alzheimer's Disease or other type of Dementia
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington's Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Pulmonary Disease
- Stroke
Any other illness or group of illnesses which limit the patient's life expectancy.
| Q: | Who can refer someone for hospice care? |
Anyone can make a referral, including the patient or the patient’s family. The choice of which hospice you use is yours. It is important to investigate your options and make an informed choice.
If you think hospice care may be appropriate for your situation and would like to learn more about Quality Life, contact us for a consultation. A hospice consultant will arrange to meet with you in your home, office or wherever you choose to explain in detail the services we offer. For additional questions or to make a referral, please call (405) 767-9033 or contact:
Quality Life Hospice
14901 N. Pennsylvania Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73134-6070
