PEACE OF MIND BEGINS HERE WITH HOSPICE SUPPORT

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Definitions continued from page 99 serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

Hospice Care

PCP-OVERSIGHT – Can the hospice patient retain their own primary care physician in addition to the hospice medical director? All hospice organizations require a medical director, a physician to oversee their care. Many times the hospice medical director will work in conjunction with the patient’s own physician. The patient, family and hospice team can determine which physicians will oversee the care and certify the hospice eligibility criteria.

PET THERAPY – There’s nothing like a visit from a four-legged creature to brighten the day of a terminally ill patient. Pet therapy teams visit with patients wherever they reside – at home or in professional care settings. Studies have shown many benefits of pet companionship, ranging from reduced blood pressure and anxiety to relief from boredom, pain and loneliness. This service is not reimbursed by Medicare.

VA CONTRACT – If the patient is not a Medicare Recipient and is covered by the VA, the VA will make payments directly to their contracted agencies. If a patient is a Veteran, but is a Medicare Recipient, they may choose any Medicare approved hospice agency for their care. ~