Hospice Facts for Physicians and Health Care Professionals
Hospice is a comprehensive program of palliative and supportive services designed to help patients and families who are facing end-stage illnesses. Hospice care enables patients to live their remaining days with comfort and dignity in the familiar surroundings of home, with family and friends.
Pain management and symptom control are the clinical goals of hospice. Addressing the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family is a priority. The majority of patients receiving hospice care are able to remain in their place of residence, be it a private home or long term care facility. Hospice care is also available in residential care facilities and skilled nursing facilities.
Hospice includes services and support for family and friends while their loved one is dying, and bereavement services after the patient has died.
Who Should be Referred to Hospice Care?
Hospice care may be appropriate for any patient with an end-stage illness (such as cancer, pulmonary disease, Alzheimer's, and other non-malignant conditions). Certification of a 6-month prognosis by the physician is required. When the patient's physician makes a referral, the physician and our hospice team develop a care plan, which includes specific desires of the patient and family. There is no penalty if a patient outlives their six-month prognosis. Hospice care may be recertified for 60-day periods. Patients who stabilize may also come on and off hospice care as per your assessment.
Hospice Appropriate Diagnoses and Signs & Symptoms to Look For
Back to top
Hospice Evaluation Service
Sutter VNA & Hospice staff are available to meet with, evaluate, and educate patients and families at your request. If, during the evaluation, your patient chooses hospice care and you approve of this decision, admission to the program can start right away.
Click here for hospice information you can give to your patients.
Back to top
Who Pays for Hospice Care?
Hospice services are reimbursed by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurance plans. Our staff will work out details with the payor source and assist patients to understand benefits. In addition,the VNA & Hospice Foundation raises funds for Sutter VNA & Hospice to provide care, regardless of ability to pay.
Back to top
Hospice Services
- Nursing
- Care Coordination with the Patient's Physician
- Pain Management and Symptom Control
- Pharmacy
- Medical Equipment
- 24-Hour Phone Consulation
- After-hours Emergency Visits
- Medical Social Workers
- Home Health Aides
- Spiritual Support/Chaplains
- Volunteer Support and Respite Care
- Grief Support and Bereavement Services
Back to top
Advantages of Sutter VNA & Hospice
- One-on-one care where the patient lives.
- Committment to excellence and compassion.
- An outstanding team working with the primary physician, including our medical director, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, home health aides, and volunteers
- Local offices serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.
- Communication by phone or fax, per physician preference.
- Understanding and respect of cultural differences.
- State licensed and certified by Medicare and Medi-Cal. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Back to top
How to Make a Referral
Call 1-800-557-9777.
Fax to 510-547-3257.
On hospital discharge orders, write "Refer to Sutter VNA & Hospice for hospice care."
Click here for a Fax Referral Form
Back to top