These are the questions families ask us most. The Medicare information comes from Medicare’s official guidance. If you have other questions, please reach out. We can talk in English or Vietnamese.
What is hospice?
Hospice is care that keeps a seriously ill person comfortable, eases pain, and helps them live peacefully with family when treatment can no longer help. It looks after body, mind and spirit, and supports the whole family.
When is it time to think about hospice?
When the illness no longer responds to treatment, your loved one keeps going to the hospital, eats less, sleeps more, grows weaker, or has said they want to be comfortable at home. You don’t need to be sure before asking, and you don’t need to wait for the last days. See: Is it time for hospice?
Who qualifies for the Medicare hospice benefit?
Someone with Medicare Part A whose hospice doctor and regular doctor (if they have one) certify a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its usual course. They choose comfort care instead of treatment to cure that illness.
Does Medicare pay for hospice?
Yes, if your loved one qualifies. The Medicare Part A hospice benefit pays for care related to the terminal illness: nurses, doctors, aides, social workers, medical equipment such as a hospital bed or wheelchair, supplies, drugs for pain and symptoms, and grief support. See: Does Medicare pay for hospice at home?
How much does the family pay?
Nothing for hospice care Medicare covers. There may be a copay of up to $5 per prescription for pain and symptom drugs, and 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care. Medicare doesn’t pay room and board in a nursing home, board-and-care home or assisted living. Many private plans also cover hospice.
Can hospice care be at home?
Yes. Hospice care is usually given at home. Hospice can also come to assisted living, a board-and-care home or a nursing home, wherever your loved one lives.
Does hospice provide a nurse at home 24 hours a day?
Usually not. Nurses and aides visit on a schedule, and a live person answers our line 24/7 so the family can call any time. When symptoms get worse, a nurse can stay at home for many hours (continuous care) until things settle. Medicare doesn’t pay for a round-the-clock caregiver.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice means choosing comfort and quality of life for your loved one. Patients can stop hospice at any time to go back to treatment, and can come back to hospice later if they still qualify.
Can my loved one keep their own doctor?
Yes. Your loved one can choose their own doctor as the attending doctor, working together with the hospice team.
What if my loved one lives longer than six months?
Hospice can continue. Medicare covers two 90-day periods, then an unlimited number of 60-day periods, as long as the hospice doctor recertifies that your loved one is still terminally ill.
Does Maxcare Hospice have Vietnamese-speaking staff?
Yes. Maxcare Hospice’s nurses (RN and LVN), aides, administrator and office staff speak Vietnamese.
How do we start hospice? Can our family reach out ourselves?
Yes. Families, doctors, hospitals and nursing homes can all contact us. We’ll look at eligibility with you, work with the doctor on the certification, and plan the first visit. A doctor still has to certify before hospice starts.
Where is Maxcare Hospice, and where do you serve?
Maxcare Hospice is based in Westminster, California, and serves families in Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. A live person answers our phone.
Calling Maxcare Hospice: quick answers
Does Maxcare Hospice serve Santa Ana?
Yes. Our Vietnamese-speaking hospice team serves families in Santa Ana from our Westminster office, a short drive away. Care can happen at home, in assisted living, in a board and care home or in a nursing facility. Call (714) 844-7777. A live person answers 24 hours a day.
Does Maxcare Hospice serve Buena Park?
Yes. Maxcare Hospice serves Buena Park families from our office at 13800 Arizona St #201, Westminster. Our team speaks Vietnamese and English. Call (714) 844-7777 any time, day or night.
Can I call at night or on the weekend?
Yes. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. A live person answers (714) 844-7777.
Does your team speak Vietnamese?
Yes. Maxcare Hospice has Vietnamese-speaking staff, including nurses, aides and office staff, so families can talk with us in Vietnamese or English from the first call on.
How soon can hospice care start?
Same-day admissions are available when the doctor agrees. Call (714) 844-7777 and we’ll walk you through the next steps.
Do I need a referral to call?
No. You can call and ask questions without a referral. We work with your loved one’s doctor.
Where can hospice care happen?
Wherever your loved one lives now: at home, in assisted living, in a board and care home or in a nursing facility, across Orange County, south Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
Does Medicare cover hospice?
Maxcare Hospice is Medicare-certified. The Medicare hospice benefit covers hospice care for people who qualify. Call (714) 844-7777 and we’ll explain how it works for your family.
Read more
Is it time for hospice? · Does Medicare pay for hospice at home in California? · Hospice Care in Orange County, CA · Hospice Care in Westminster, CA · Câu hỏi thường gặp về hospice (tiếng Việt)
Medicare sources: Medicare.gov: Hospice care · Medicare Hospice Benefits booklet
13800 Arizona St #201, Westminster, CA 92683 · (714) 844-7777 · Open 24 hours, 7 days · Line answered live 24/7.
More plain facts about Maxcare Hospice: Facts and FAQ
