More Information about Hospice Care

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing an end-of-life illness or injury, hospice care involves a team-oriented, holistic approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient's loved ones as well. At the center of hospice and palliative care is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow this to occur.

Our interdisciplinary team consists of:

• The patient’s personal Physician
• Hospice Medical Director
• Hospice Nurses
• Social Workers
• Home Health Aides
• Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor
• Bereavement Counselor
• Trained Volunteers
• Dietician
• Speech, Physical or Occupational Therapists and other Counselors, as needed

Most hospice patients are cared for in the comfort of their own home or in the home of a loved one. Home is also construed to include services provided in residential care facilities for the elderly, hospitals and prisons. A family member usually serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the hospice care recipient. Members of our staff make regular visits to assess the patient’s needs and provide additional care or other services. Mission Hospice & Home Care staff is available to answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?

Hospice care is for any person who has a life-threatening or terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. The referring physician is required to certify the six-month prognosis, and once a referral is made, works with our hospice team to develop a plan of care. Patients always have the choice to continue curative treatment or receive hospice services for comfort care. And sometimes, because hospice care is so nurturing and caring, people do get better and live longer than at first expected. In either case, a patient may revoke his/her hospice benefit and seek treatment under regular insurance. If treatment fails and the patient again qualifies for hospice care, he/she may return to hospice service.

Hospice Evaluation Service

Mission Hospice & Home Care staff members are available to meet with, evaluate and educate patients and families about hospice care at a physician’s request. To schedule an informational visit, please contact Barbara Feduska, RN, Director of Patient Services, at (650) 554-1000.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Hospice care is covered under Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). Medicare beneficiaries who choose hospice care receive a full scope of comfort-focused medical and support services for their terminal illness. Hospice care also supports the family and loved ones of the patient through a variety of services.

Most private insurances cover hospice care and are similar to the Medicare hospice benefit. Some insurance policies have a cap on how much can be spent on hospice care. A hospice benefit is also provided under most MediCal health care plans.

To be eligible for hospice, the following three criteria must to be met:

• The patient’s doctor and the hospice medical director use their best clinical judgment to certify that the patient is terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less, if the disease runs its expected course;
• The patient chooses to receive hospice care rather than curative treatments for his/her illness; or further curative treatment is not available

To discuss payment for hospice care in more detail, please contact Barbara Feduska, RN, Director of Patient Services, at (650) 554-1000.

Hospice Services

• Regularly scheduled visits by registered nurse case managers
• Care coordination and personalization with the patient’s physician
• Medications for pain management and symptom control provided by hospice
• Medical equipment such as hospital beds
• Medical supplies such as bandages and catheters
• 24-hour phone consultation
• After-hours emergency visits
• Medical social workers to offer emotional support and linkage to community resources
• Home health aides to assist with personal care and light housekeeping activities

• Chaplain to assist with spiritual and end-of-life concerns
• Trained volunteers to provide respite care, companionship, and run errands
• Group and personal counseling by bereavement staff
• Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietary counseling, as permitted under the hospice benefit

Why Choose Mission Hospice & Home Care?

Mission Hospice & Home Care has provided professional care and compassionate support for end-of-life patients and their families in San Mateo County for thirty years. We’re committed to quality care, serving various communities with a culturally and spiritually sensitive and individual approach to hospice care.