Frequently Asked Questions

Any person who has a severe illness and who is expected to live for 6 months or less can benefit from hospice. Typical diagnoses include illness at an end stage, such as dementia, heart, liver, lung, kidney, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other illnesses leading to a decline in health.

The benefit that a hospice offers is maximized when it is provided for at least 6 months. This time frame permits active management of pain and other symptoms, and interventions by the entire team who can work with the patient and family to identify and meet goals that they establish for their end of life care. Earlier intervention with hospice care can lead to improved pain and symptom management, thus enabling the patient to enjoy their remaining time and to participate in a variety of daily activities.

The basic admission criteria for hospice care are established by regulation and state that a person being admitted to hospice must be:

•     Entitled to Part A of Medicare; and
•     A person must have a life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease runs it’s expected course

There are specific guidelines for how a physician determines life expectancy. These guidelines, called Local Coverage Determinations (LCD’s), are developed and managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Fiscal Intermediary (FI). There are 3 FI’s throughout the United States. The current LCD’s for MA are available at http://www.ugsmedicare.com/attestation.asp

Longwood Hospice is a Medicare/Medicaid certified program, which accepts patients without regard for age, gender, color, national origin, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, availability of a primary caregiver, or ability to pay. Hospice services are covered by most insurance policies. No one is refused services because of inability to pay. Admission to hospice is based on the patients’ eligibility and need, not the ability to pay.

Longwood Hospice understands that not every patient is able to stay in his or her home. Hospice care is provided wherever the patient calls home, including assisted living communities and long term care facilities. All certified hospice programs have access to impatient units designed to meet intermittent acute care needs if a patient needs to be hospitalized. When it is appropriate and necessary, inpatient care may be provided in a hospice-contracted facility.

Longwood Hospice is currently providing service in the following area: Suffolk County. We are able to provide excellent care to patients and families due to the size of the organization.

Questions, please contact:

info@longwoodhospice.com

Longwood Hospice

637 Washington Street

Suite 102

Brookline, MA 02446

Tel: 617-505-3443