Common Questions about Hospice

We have a fantastic and compassionate hospice team here at CMH.  They’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions, found below:

1.  Isn’t hospice just for cancer patients?
   Answer - Hospice is for anyone with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less.
2. Does hospice cost a lot of money?
   Answer - Hospice is a fully covered benefit under Medicare & Medicaid with no out-of-pocket expense. 
3. Most insurance policies also have some form of hospice benefit.Does hospice provide round-the-clock care?
   Answer - Hospice provides intermittent care with an RN on-call 24 hours a day.  Our staff help teach the family how to care for their loved one.  Respite services are also available 5 days each month to allow caregivers to take a break.
4. Is hospice care only available for patients at home?
   Answer - Hospice is available to patients both at home and in a nursing facility on a private pay or Medicaid bed.

Additional questions? Contact the CMH Hospice and Palliative Care team at (417) 326-3585.