Hospice is appropriate when a patient has been diagnosed by a Physician with a life limiting illness and life expectancy is 6 months of less. The prognosis of 6 months is based on the Physicians best clinical
judgment considering the disease follows an expected course. Obviously disease processes will vary with each individual so, some patients will not live 6 months and others will live beyond 6 months. Medicare allows for an extended Hospice benefit for those patients who need the service beyond 6 months. The patient and their family must be aware of the diagnosis and prognosis. Patients and their families must also desire comfort care rather than curative care. Examples of hospice diagnosis are as follows:· Cancer
· End Stage Heart Disease
· End Stage Pulmonary Disease
· End Stage Alzheimer's/Dementia
· End Stage Renal Disease
The above list is not all-inclusive. If you have a diagnosis or hospice related question, please contact Preferred Hospice at
417-581-4YOU (4968).
