Hospice Care FAQ

Common misconceptions and questions about Hospice Care

It is a concept of care designed to help terminally ill patients live life fully, with dignity, and to help their families cope after the death of their loved one. Hospice care is intended to ease pain and suffering, neither prolonging life nor hastening death. Hospice care provides a team approach to meet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs during the end stage of life. This is provided in the comfort of a home setting or facility setting, giving the individual and their family active involvement of their care.
The Hospice team is comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, aides, chaplains, bereavement specialists, and volunteers. These disciplines, as well as medication and medical supplies related to an individual’s terminal illness are provided as a comprehensive care approach to their care.
Hospice is a benefit under Medicare and most insurance plans. There is usually no out of pocket expense to the individual or family for hospice services.

  • When there is a confirmed diagnosis of a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six (6) months or less if the disease runs its natural course.

  • When an individual chooses comfort care and is no longer receiving curative treatment for the terminal disease.

  • When the individual’s attending physician and Hospice Medical Director agree that they meet the certification criteria for admission and would benefit from Hospice care.

  • When an individual and family are faced with a life limiting illness of unknown origin.

Service is provided wherever the patient calls home. In order for hospice care to be started a physician must give an order. Apex Hospice will provide comfort measures to the patient by customizing an individual plan of care, that will focus on symptom management and quality of life. The hospice team will work in conjunction to have medical equipment ordered and delivered and medication management. The team will work together to meet your physical, Spiritual and emotional needs. Apex hospice is available twenty- four hours a day as needed. If the patient is living in a nursing home or assisted living, Apex will work in conjunction with the nursing staff of the facility. We have a team of caregivers that consists of:

  • Primary Care
  • Physician
  • Hospice Physician
  • Registered Nurse
  • Advanced Practice
  • Nurse
  • Licensed Practical
  • Nurse
  • Certified Home Health
  • Aid
  • Chaplain
  • Social Worker
  • Trained Volunteer


This team will review and revise the individual care plan as frequently has the patient needs require but with no less than every fifteen days. This creates a clear pathway to communicate with the entire team. Hospice services is for family members and caregivers too. Bereavement support service and counseling is provided throughout the hospice experience. At Apex we provide support for up to one year after the passing of the hospice patient. Bereavement support is provided to caregivers, parents, children, spouses and siblings. Service area map needed as a tab or visual. (emailed as additional document)Insurances:

  • Medicare

  • United Health Care Plans

  • AARP Plans

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage

  • Secure Horizons

  • Coventry / Aetna

  • Homelink/VGA

  • GEHA

  • HealthChoice

  • Healthcare Highways

  • Indian Health Services

  • UMR

  • Fast 360

  • VA -TriWest

  • Workers’ Compensation

  • USDOL

  • Medicaid

Our goal at Apex Hospice is to provide the patient with centered care aimed at holistically improving the quality of the remaining life. Apex Hospice does this by focusing on pain management and other regimens tailored to the individual.

You may always change your mind about receiving hospice care.

At Apex Hospice we serve our patients wherever they may reside. Hospice is not a place, it is a service. Apex Hospice will bring that service to you.

At Apex Hospice, we care for anyone who is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Apex Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare and most commercial insurances. There are not any out of pocket costs or co-pays for hospice care.