Hospice care is delivered through an interdisciplinary team of dedicated hospice professionals. Supervised by a hospice physician, this team writes and delivers the patient's individualized plan of care and makes regular visits to assess the patient's condition and provide other services as needed.

 

Most hospice patients receive care in their own homes or in the homes of loved ones. Hospice care may also be delivered to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted-living facilities and independent-living facilities. Typically, one family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the patient. Valir provides care and support for both the patient and family.

 

 

Hospice care is paid for through the Medicare Hospice Benefit and most private insurers. When Medicare or private insurance are unavailable, Valir Hospice Care works with patients and their families to ensure the necessary services can be provided.

 

Valir Hospice care is Medicare-certified and licensed by the State of Oklahoma.

 

 

The Medicare Hospice Benefit, initiated in 1983, is covered under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). Medicare beneficiaries who choose hospice care receive a full scope of non-curative medical treatment and support services for their terminal illnesses. Hospice also supports the patient's family and loved ones with a variety of services.

 

The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers nearly all aspects of hospice care with little out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family. Consequently, financial burdens often associated with caring for the terminally ill are virtually nonexistent.

 

 

Patients meeting all of the following criteria are eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit:

*  NOTE: Medicare will continue to pay for covered benefits for any health problems unrelated to the terminal illness.

 

 

Medicare covers the following hospice services and supplies, and pays nearly all their costs:

*  NOTE: Respite care is care provided to a hospice patient by someone other than the primary caregiver so that the primary caregiver can rest. Respite care is provided in a Medicare-approved facility, such as a hospice residential facility, hospital or nursing home. Valir Hospice Care patients may stay in a Medicare-approved hospital or nursing home for up to five days each time they receive respite care. There is no limit to the number of times a patient can receive respite care.

 

 

Hospice patients should continue to use their Medicare health plans (such as the original Medicare plan, or a Medicare+Choice plan) in order to receive treatment for any health problems unrelated to their terminal illnesses. Patients may receive such treatment from hospice physicians or from personal physicians outside the hospice.

 

When using the Medicare health plan, patients must pay the deductible and coinsurance amounts, or the co-payment. (Resource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD  21244-1850. Publication No: CMS 02154, Revised July 2003)

 

 

Now is the right time to learn more about hospice care. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, knowing our loved ones' wishes now can greatly ease their transition into this stage of life.

 

The staff at Valir Hospice Care is happy to provide patients and their families with the information necessary to make educated decisions. Please call us at (405) 609-3636.

 

 

Anyone can inquire about hospice services. Simply call Valir Hospice at (405) 609-3636. Once notified, our staff will contact the patient's personal physician to determine if hospice care is appropriate.

 

Once the patient's physician makes the referral, Valir's staff contacts the patient or caregiver to set up an initial meeting to review the services we offer and sign the necessary consent forms. Usually we can begin providing care within a day or two after referral. In urgent situations, service may begin sooner.