Frequently Asked
Questions
Who is
Eligible?
Any
person who has a severe illness and who is expected to live for
6 months or less can benefit from hospice. Typical diagnoses
include illness at an end stage, such as dementia, heart, liver,
lung, kidney, Parkinson's disease, cancer, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis and other illnesses leading to a decline in health.
 The benefit that a hospice offers is maximized when it is
provided for at least 6 months. This time frame permits active
management of pain and other symptoms, and interventions by the
entire team who can work with the patient and family to identify
and meet goals that they establish for their end of life care.
Earlier intervention with hospice care can lead to improved pain
and symptom management, thus enabling the patient to enjoy their
remaining time and to participate in a variety of daily
activities
Admission
criteria and guidelines:
The basic admission criteria for
hospice care are established by regulation and state that a
person being admitted to hospice must be:
- Entitled to Part A of Medicare; and
- a person must have a life
expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease runs it's
expected course
There are specific guidelines for
how a physician determines life expectancy. These guidelines,
called Local Coverage Determinations (LCD's), are developed and
managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Fiscal
Intermediary (FI). There are 3 FI's throughout the
United States. The current
LCD’s for MA are available at
http://www.ugsmedicare.com/attestation.asp
How is it paid
for?
Brookhaven Hospice is a Medicare/Medicaid
certified program, which accepts patients without regard for
age, gender, color, national origin, race, creed, sexual orientation,
disability, diagnosis, availability of a primary caregiver, or
ability to pay. Hospice services are covered by most insurance
policies. No one is refused services because of inability to
pay. Admission to hospice is based on the patients’ eligibility
and need, not the ability to pay.
Where is it
provided?
Brookhaven Hospice understands that not every patient is able to
stay in his or her home. Hospice care is provided wherever
the patient calls home, including assisted living communities
and long term care facilities.
All certified hospice programs have access to
impatient units designed to meet intermittent acute care needs
if a patient needs to be hospitalized. When it is
appropriate and necessary, inpatient care may be provided in a
hospice-contracted facility.
What area does Brookhaven
Hospice serve?
Brookhaven Hospice is currently providing
service in the following areas: Suffolk,
Essex, Middlesex, and
Worcester
Counties.
We are able to provide care to residents
in almost all of Massachusetts.
As our hospice grows, we will continue to expand the areas that
we provide hospice care.
In case of questions, please
contact:
Mark Carroll
Principal
Brookhaven Hospice
6 Beech Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Tel: 508-820-4800
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