Palliative Care FAQ's

Who can receive this care?  
PC:  Anyone with a serious or potentially life-ending illness, regardless of the stage of his/her illness.  Palliative Care can be used early in the course of an illness, for anyone having difficulty with control of symptoms.

Hospice:  Someone with a life expectancy measured in months rather than years

Can I continue to receive treatments to cure my illness?
PC:  You may receive palliative care and curative care at the same time.         

Hospice:  Hospice covers treatments and medicines related to the terminal illness that are directed at relieving symptoms.

May I receive homecare at the same time?            
PC:  Yes        

Hospice:  No

Does Medicare pay?
PC:  Medicare will pay for a physician consult   

Hospice:  Medicare pays all charges related to hospice care of 
terminal illness

Does Medicaid pay?
PC:  Medicaid will pay for a physician consult.   

Hospice:  In Michigan, Medicaid pays all charges related to hospice care or terminal illness.

Does private insurance pay?
PC:  Most insurance companies will pay for needed physician services, like a home visit, or a visit in the hospital or other place of residence

Hospice:  Most insurance plans have a hospice benefit

What is included in the group of services?
PC:  At this point, our program primarily consists of  physician visits to evaluate and treat any symptoms that are hard to control. Additional support services will be implemented as the need arises.       

Hospice:  Hospice benefits generally include a group of services including: multi-disciplinary team visits, medication and equipment related to the terminal disease.

How long can I receive care?  
PC:  This will depend upon your care needs, and the coverage you have through Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance.   

Hospice:  You can receive care as long as you meet the hospice criteria.  Some patients have had Hospice more than one year as they remained appropriate.

Where are services provided?
PC:  Wherever the patient resides: in their home, assisted living facility, nursing facility, or hospital. 

Hospice:  Wherever the patient resides: in their home, assisted living facility, nursing facility, or hospital. Also, our Hospice House provides 24-hour hospice care in a home-like atmosphere.

Who provides these service?
PC:  The Hospice medical director provides palliative care consultations.   

Hospice:  A multi-disciplinary team: a patient's primary care physician, hospice medical director, nurse, social worker, bereavement counselor, chaplain, volunteer, home health aide and others.