Hospice in Georgia: Resources & Information

Georgia residents considering hospice care for a family member should consider all of the information and options when making their decision. Learn more about Georgia hospice resources and information below.

Understanding Medicare Options for Hospice Care

When looking at the range of options available for those needing hospice care, families should be aware of what is and what is not covered under Medicare.

Note: Medicare rules apply to all states, not just Georgia.

“Original Medicare” (Part A and Part B) is the federal health insurance program for individuals 65 years of age and older as well as younger residents with certain disabilities or conditions.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care provided in a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or hospice setting. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor visits, durable medical equipment, ambulance transport, and preventive services.

If a patient is not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, most private insurance covers hospice care. Check with your individual provider to confirm coverage and to see if any copays or deductibles apply.

Hospice Eligibility Criteria

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care has designed an easy-to-understand overview of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospice eligibility requirements. These guidelines determine if a patient is or will soon be appropriate for hospice care.

Some of the guidelines include:

• Patient must be diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live if the illness runs the typical course.
• Compromised activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, eating, dressing, walking, transferring, and continence.
• Frequent hospitalizations in the past six months.
• Recurring infections.
• Increase in weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and somnolence.
• A change in cognitive or functional abilities.

How to Find a Hospice

Families have a variety of options to consider when selecting a hospice for a family member or other loved one. We’ve posted Georgia hospice information on the Crossroads website that hospice patients and families should bear in mind when selecting a hospice provider, including our range of services and locations. There is also information on the unique programs we offer including Gift of a Day, Grief Recovery, and programs for Veterans.

Another source worth checking into for Georgia hospice information is a website sponsored by Hospice Analytics, Inc., an information-sharing research organization whose mission is to improve hospice utilization and access to quality end-of-life care through analysis of Medicare and other national datasets. Hospice Analytics maintains a list of over 200 Georgia hospices across the state. The site also allows users to select various criteria such as range of services provided, size, accreditation, and other considerations.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing those seeking Georgia hospice resources need to keep in mind is that they need to do their own homework. Online reviews are one thing to review, but they should not be the only determining factor. Visit the hospice website, its Facebook page and other social media, and look for recent news stories. The level and frequency of online activity, as well as what people are saying about them could be good indicators to the level and quality of service they provide.

Finally, seek advice and additional information from informed healthcare professionals. Having reliable information is essential for hospice patients and families facing such an emotional, life-changing decision.

For more information on selecting a hospice provider, please contact Crossroads at 1-888-564-3405.

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