Myths and Facts about Hospice

MYTH #1: Hospice patients cannot continue to see their primary care physician (PCP).

A patient may choose to keep their PCP and have them be as involved as they would like them to be. Or, a patient can choose to turn over care to the hospice medical director. Whether the patient's PCP stays involved is entirely up to the patient.

MYTH #2: A patient must have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) to receive hospice care.

It is always up to the patient and family regarding their wishes for resuscitation. Federal Medicare guidelines prohibit a hospice from requiring a patient and/or power of attorney to sign a DNR form to receive hospice care.

MYTH #3: Hospice patients can only be in hospice care for a few days or weeks.

Hospice patients can stay under the care of hospice as long as they remain eligible. There is no time limit to hospice services as long as the patient meets hospice criteria which is determined by the hospice interdisciplinary team.

MYTH #4: Hospice care is very expensive.

Hospice is usually less expensive than conventional care during the last six months of life. Hospice is an all-inclusive benefit covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance companies. Under Medicare, there are no co-pays for physician visits, nursing care, medications, hospice equipment, or medical supplies related to the patient's primary hospice diagnosis.

MYTH #5: Hospice means going into a facility.

Those who choose hospice do not "go into" hospice but receive services wherever they call home. This could be in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or their own home. Alleo Health's goal is to deliver hospice services to the patient and family wherever they call home.

MYTH #6: Hospice is just for cancer patients.

Anyone who has a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course is eligible for hospice. Hospice eligibility is based on prognosis not diagnosis. Cancer patients make up a significant number of hospice patients. However, anyone who has a terminal diagnosis, whether it’s heart disease, COPD, liver disease, COVID-19, kidney disease, stroke, ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, or any life-limiting condition, may be eligible for hospice.​

MYTH #7: Only doctors can refer patients to hospice.

Anyone can make a referral to hospice. If you know someone who could use the extra support of hospice who may be facing a life-limiting illness, we will be glad to meet with the family and/or patient to discuss the option of hospice.

MYTH #8: Morphine prescribed to a hospice patient causes premature death.

Morphine prescribed to a hospice patient does not cause premature death. Morphine is prescribed for symptom control and does not cause death but is for comfort and symptom management.

MYTH #9: Hospice means the patient has given up.

Hospice is not about giving up hope. Hospice is actually about giving hope for quality care, dignity, and living each day, one day at a time.

MYTH #10: When someone enrolls in hospice care, they must give up their current medications and treatments.

Upon admission to hospice, the patient’s current medication and treatment is reviewed and discussed with both the patient’s attending physician and the hospice physician. Recommendations are then made regarding any medication or treatment that may no longer be appropriate or beneficial, but at no time will any medication or treatment be discontinued without the patient or primary caregiver's knowledge and agreement.

MYTH #11: Hospice causes patients to die sooner.

Hospice does not make death come sooner. The goal of hospice is neither to prolong life nor hasten death, but to make the quality of the patient's life the best it can be. There are no studies that indicate that hospice can hasten death, but there are studies that show many hospice patients live up to 3 months longer with their symptoms and conditions managed through hospice care than patients with similar conditions without hospice. Too often, patients wait until the last minute to get the full benefit and comfort of hospice care.

Myth #12: Once I choose hospice care, I cannot change my mind.

Hospice care can be stopped any time a patient or primary caregiver chooses. There is no financial penalty to leave hospice. A patient or primary caregiver can also choose to re-elect the hospice benefit any time eligibility criteria is met.

Myth #13: Hospice does not offer continuous care.

Medicare Certified Hospice Agencies must offer all four levels of care as indicated by patient condition. The four levels of care are: routine home care, respite care, continuous care or crisis care, and general inpatient care.

MYTH #14: Hospice only focuses on the dying process​.

Hospice is a philosophy of care providing medical, emotional, and spiritual care focused on comfort and quality of life for patients and their loved ones. Hospice provides grief services to family members and the community as well.

MYTH #15: You can't be on the transplant list and hospice at the same time.

A patient can be on a transplant list and be on hospice while awaiting their transplant. If the organ for transplant comes through, then the patient will come off hospice services and receive their transplant.