What does the Hospice admission process involve?
One of the first things the hospice program will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees with hospice care. The patient will then be approached by hospice team members who will explain what hospice can and cannot do. The patient or caregiver signs a consent form and other documents. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital.
When a patient is referred to hospice, staff members will contact the patient’s physician to verify that hospice is appropriate. A nurse will then meet with the patient to complete an assessment to determine the patients’ needs. A social worker will also offer assistance, addressing any emotional, social, or spiritual needs of the patient or family.
The hospice in NJ will contact the patient’s physician to make sure that he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for the patient at this time. The patient or representative will be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms a patient signs when he/she enters a hospital. The hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is, aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the Jewish hospice services available. The form Medicare patients sign also describes how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage.
A. One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for the patient at this time. The hospice care goals and available services will be reviewed carefully with the patient and caregivers to make sure they are understood. The patient will be asked to sign consent and insurance forms similar to those signed when entering a hospital.
Once you have made a decision to select hospice, a representative will contact you to discuss the program and help determine your eligibility. Your physician will then be contacted to discuss your decision and receive authorization to begin providing the services that you have chosen. Finally, you will be asked to sign certain forms that are similar to the ones that you would sign before receiving any other special medical treatments or services.
