Deciding when it is time for hospice is difficult and should be discussed with loved ones and a physician. It is generally time for hospice when the patient is ready to live more comfortably and forego treatments aimed at prolonging life.

To receive hospice services, a physician (often the individuals attending physician or specialist) must certify that the patient meets specific medical eligibility criteria; generally, the patient’s life expectancy is 6 months or less if the illness, disease or condition runs its typical course. However, if the individual lives longer than six months and their condition continues to decline, a physician or nurse practitioner may recertify them for additional time in hospice care. Similarly, if a hospice patient's condition improves, they may be discharged from hospice care. The patient is eligible for hospice again if his or her condition begins to decline.

Patients and their families can save considerably by choosing home health care over long-term hospitalization or a skilled nursing facility.

Services are provided in the setting that the patient calls home, which may be their private residence or that of a loved one.

• Time and services of the care team, including visits to the patient’s location by the hospice nurse, medical social worker, home-health aide and chaplain/spiritual adviser
• Medication for symptom control or pain relief
• Medical equipment like wheelchairs or walkers and medical supplies like bandages and catheters
• Other covered services needed to manage pain and other symptoms related to the terminal illness, as recommended by the hospice team
• Volunteers for temporary relief to caregiving to avoid or address “caregiver burnout”
• Grief and loss counseling for patient and loved ones
• Non-denomination Chaplain services

• Treatment intended to cure your terminal illness or unrelated to that illness
• Prescription drugs to cure your illness or unrelated to that illness