Hospice care assists persons who are terminally ill. The emphasis is on providing comfort and care in one’s home whenever possible.

Hospice care focuses on the person’s emotional, social, physical and spiritual needs. A team, composed of physicians, social workers, nurses, therapists, home health aides, clergy and volunteers, works together to provide care.

All hospice programs in Minnesota must be licensed. The Minnesota Department of Health (651) 215-8701 licenses and certifies hospice programs.

About two-thirds of Minnesota’s hospice programs are Medicare-certified.

Medicare Hospice Care
To be eligible for Medicare hospice benefits:

• A physician must certify that you are terminally ill (six months or less to live);

• You must be enrolled in Part A Medicare;

• You must sign a statement that you choose to use the hospice; and

• You select a Medicare-certified hospice program.

Medicare hospice coverage includes:

• routine medical care;
• general inpatient (hospital) care;
• continuous care (care during a crisis for about eight hours daily for 3 to 5 days); and
• inpatient (hospital) respite care that is limited each visit to a stay of no more than 5 days.

Medicare pays the hospice program directly for your care. You are responsible for a portion of the cost of inpatient respite care and outpatient drugs for pain relief and symptom management.

The Minnesota Hospice Organization, an association of hospice programs, provides consumer information. Phone (651) 659-0423 or fax (651) 659-9126.

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