FAQ's

What services do you offer?

We offer medical, emotional and spiritual support to both patients and families through a team approach with specially trained, caring staff. Each family is assigned a hospice team, which may include:

• Nurses on call, "24/7"
• Social workers
• Spiritual counselors
• Home health aides
• Volunteers
• Hospice medical director
• Your primary care physician
• Bereavement counselors

Our staff provides help to patients and families in the home, hospital, or nursing home. If hospitalization is needed, your hospice team will assist you in arranging admission.

Who do you serve?

Hospice care is offered to individuals who have:

• A diagnosis of terminal illness
• Stopped curative treatments and have chosen comfort-only care
• A life expectancy estimated in terms of months
• A primary care physician participating in their hospice plan of care
• A primary care person (may be a family member or friend) available for patient care

What are the criteria for receiving hospice services?

In addition to a number of end-stage diseases that may warrant a hospice referral, there are several general guidelines for determining who qualifies for hospice care, including:

• Patients who need comfort management of symptoms related to advanced disease
• Patients transitioning from curative or rehabilitative care to comfort care
• Patients for whom comfort care will enhance their comfort and well being
• Patients who would benefit from the full range of supportive services offered by hospice care
• Patients who are severely limited in their ability to get around

Is hospice care covered by insurance?

Hospice care is covered by many health insurance programs, including:

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Private insurance
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Other HMOs

Who can make a referral?

Referrals to hospice can be made by:

• Physicians
• Families
• Patients
• Other care providers or community resources

What support services are available?

We provide a number of support services, including:

• Social work counseling for patients, families, and caregivers
• Pastoral care counseling to address spiritual needs
• Caregiver support groups for those who are caring for a terminally ill loved one
• Bereavement services and support groups to help friends and family adjust to the loss of a loved one

Do I need to be of a certain faith to receive services from Steward Hospice?

We accept all patients, regardless of religion, age, race, color, sex, creed, diagnosis, or ability to pay.