Referral procedure

Anyone can initiate a referral to Hospice of Michigan for a terminally ill patient. You may access our online Referral Form, or call our statewide toll-free access number, 1-888-466-5656. Physicians, discharge planners and other medical referral sources may call Hospice of Michigan Instant Access, 1-888-247-5181 for clinical support and consultations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hospice staff will contact the patient's physician for the following information:

• Admitting diagnosis and prognosis
• Current medical findings
• Orders for medications and treatments
• Patient and family understanding of disease and prognosis
• Relevant patient and family information
• History and physical
• Order for hospice care

Additionally, hospice staff will make an appointment to visit the patient and family to explain hospice services and get a signed informed consent form from the patient and/or family. A hospice nurse will conduct a patient assessment and develop an individualized plan of care.

What will it cost and who pays for hospice?

Hospice care is covered by most insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and most private insurance companies and HMOs. Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare for people who have a life expectancy of six months or less.

Medicare and most policies cover all costs associated with hospice care, such as:

• In-home visits and telephone consultations with all hospice staff
• Grief support services
• Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, beds, commodes and oxygen
• Medical supplies, such as bandages and dressings
• Medications for the terminal illness, although some may require a copay for prescriptions

The Medicare Hospice Benefit and most insurance companies do not cover the cost of staying at a Hospice Home, nursing home or other in-patient facility.

Information for patients with lung cancer and their families