FAQs | Votiva Health

Is hospice care for cancer patients only?: No. Hospice care is provided for all “end-stage” diseases. End-stage refers to any disease that has progressed to a point where the patient is given a prognosis of 6 months or less to live by their doctor. Hospice care can continue past six months if the patient lives longer and patients often live longer and some are discharged from hospice.
What is the hospice philosophy towards death?: Hospice care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It neither hastens nor postpones death, but works to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families by managing pain and symptoms and by providing emotional and spiritual support as needed and requested.
Who is involved in the care of the patient?: Hospice care involves a team approach to care. The patient’s doctor remains involved, and nurses, social worker, home health aides, chaplain, and hospice trained volunteers work together to support the patient and family in this time of need.
Is the patient always in a home setting?: Not necessarily. Though most Americans have indicated that they would prefer to be cared for at home if they were given six months or less to live,
When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made - and who should make it?: At any time during a life-limiting illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping an all-out effort to recover from their disease. Votiva’s clinicians are highly sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family and physician.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?: The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends. Our team at Votiva can support you with these conversations.
How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?: It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite emotionally and physically draining. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, hospices have a staff available around the clock to consult with the family and to make night visits as appropriate.
What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients?: The hospice team includes nurses, a social worker, counselors, home health aides, chaplains, and volunteers. In addition, hospices provide medications, supplies, equipment, and hospice pre-approved hospital services related to the terminal illness.
Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?: Hospices do nothing either to speed up or slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.
Is the home the only place hospice care can be delivered?: No. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
What is hospice’s success rate in relieving pain?: Very high. Using some combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them.
Why is Votiva calling me and how did you get my information?: Votiva is working with your health insurance company to provide you with some additional support that you and your family may need now, or in the future. Your health insurance company provides us with your contact information, so we can provide this service to you, free of charge. We are obligated to treat this information as confidential just like your insurance plan and your doctor is.
Is Votiva calling me because I’m in end of life?: Not necessarily. Our goal is to teach you your options and support you in your decisions regarding declining health issues. Knowledge is power, and we want you to know all the choices you have regarding your health, help you find the right questions to ask your doctor, and support you in all the health care decisions you make.
How much does hospice cost?: Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. They provide all of their services related to the diagnosis they admitted you for, free of charge. If there are treatments or medications that are not related to the diagnosis that you were admitted to hospice for, then your usual insurance rates apply.
Can my primary care physician still take care of me?: Yes, they can. We can speak to your physician and explain that they also have the support of the hospice team, and the hospice staff will be available to them to answer any of their questions regarding your care. Again, your insurance covers this with no charges to you.
Is hospice care covered by insurance?: Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid, and by most private health insurance policies.



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	Overview Management FAQs Careers	Is hospice care for cancer patients only? No. Hospice care is provided for all “end-stage” diseases. End-stage refers to any disease that has progressed to a point where the patient is given a prognosis of 6 months or less to live by their doctor. Hospice care can continue past six months if the patient lives longer and patients often live longer and some are discharged from hospice. What is the hospice philosophy towards death? Hospice care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It neither hastens nor postpones death, but works to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families by managing pain and symptoms and by providing emotional and spiritual support as needed and requested. Who is involved in the care of the patient? Hospice care involves a team approach to care. The patient’s doctor remains involved, and nurses, social worker, home health aides, chaplain, and hospice trained volunteers work together to support the patient and family in this time of need. Is the patient always in a home setting? Not necessarily. Though most Americans have indicated that they would prefer to be cared for at home if they were given six months or less to live, When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made - and who should make it? At any time during a life-limiting illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping an all-out effort to recover from their disease. Votiva’s clinicians are highly sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family and physician. Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first? The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends. Our team at Votiva can support you with these conversations. How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home? It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite emotionally and physically draining. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, hospices have a staff available around the clock to consult with the family and to make night visits as appropriate. What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients? The hospice team includes nurses, a social worker, counselors, home health aides, chaplains, and volunteers. In addition, hospices provide medications, supplies, equipment, and hospice pre-approved hospital services related to the terminal illness. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner? Hospices do nothing either to speed up or slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process. Is the home the only place hospice care can be delivered? No. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. What is hospice’s success rate in relieving pain? Very high. Using some combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them. Why is Votiva calling me and how did you get my information? Votiva is working with your health insurance company to provide you with some additional support that you and your family may need now, or in the future. Your health insurance company provides us with your contact information, so we can provide this service to you, free of charge. We are obligated to treat this information as confidential just like your insurance plan and your doctor is. Is Votiva calling me because I’m in end of life? Not necessarily. Our goal is to teach you your options and support you in your decisions regarding declining health issues. Knowledge is power, and we want you to know all the choices you have regarding your health, help you find the right questions to ask your doctor, and support you in all the health care decisions you make. How much does hospice cost? Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. They provide all of their services related to the diagnosis they admitted you for, free of charge. If there are treatments or medications that are not related to the diagnosis that you were admitted to hospice for, then your usual insurance rates apply. Can my primary care physician still take care of me? Yes, they can. We can speak to your physician and explain that they also have the support of the hospice team, and the hospice staff will be available to them to answer any of their questions regarding your care. Again, your insurance covers this with no charges to you. Is hospice care covered by insurance? Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid, and by most private health insurance policies.