Referral
Anyone can make a hospice referral, including physicians, family, friends or the patient. Once Hospice of Dubuque is contacted, an informational visit is scheduled with the patient and family to explain the services.
Admission Criteria
The patient:
- has a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by the primary care physician
- has a primary caregiver, or there is a plan for a primary caregiving system
- resides in Hospice of Dubuque's tri-state service area.
The patient and family:
- choose comfort, not curative, treatment of the disease
- desire hospice services.
Prior to admission, an informational visit is scheduled with the patient and any interested individuals so they can be well informed about the services provided by Hospice of Dubuque. If the patient and those involved with their care desire time to think about this decision, an admission to the program can be delayed. If an admission is desired, a mutually agreeable time is established for a nurse and social worker to make a joint visit to accomplish the admission.
Methods of Payment
- The Medicare Hospice Benefit program
- The Medicaid Hospice Benefit program
- Most private insurance plans
- If there is no insurance coverage, cost will be determined by a sliding fee schedule that complies with federal regulations.
As the community's nonprofit hospice, Hospice of Dubuque provides the same level of care regardless of age, gender, race, religion or ability to pay. Medicare does not allow hospices to provide “free” care; therefore, if an individual’s insurance policy does not include hospice care, a sliding fee schedule must be applied. Efforts are always made to control the out-of-pocket expenses for hospice families. Community contributions and gifts assure care for those who cannot pay and for the costs not covered by insurers.
Hospice of Dubuque believes hospice care should be available to all terminally ill persons, thus, services are provided to any eligible individual.