The Referral Process

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To start hospice services the hospice agency  typically receives a "referral".

Through this process we assist the patient and family in checking the patient's insurance for hospice service coverage. 

Most of the time the patient and the family are unaware of the insurance coverage. 

Hospice accepts Medicare, MediCal, and other private insurances. 

Once the hospice representative updates the patient and their family of their insurance coverage, the representative will contact or visit the patient within 48 hours.  During the visit, the representative will go over information which includes the explanation of benefits (EOB) and the assessment and evaluation of the eligibility of the patient. If the patient is deemed eligible to receive hospice services, the hospice team with the patient and family will collaborate to create the appropriate care plan for the patient. Hospice care is ready to begin within a day or two of the referral. However, in urgent situations, hospice services may begin sooner.