FOR PROVIDERS

WHEN IS IT TIME FOR HOSPICE?

Hospice is appropriate for patients with a life-limiting illness who have a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its expected course. Earlier referrals allows patients and families to receive the full benefit of hospice services, including expert symptom management, emotional support, and personalized care.

Your patient may be hospice eligible if they:

• Have a prognosis of six months or less.
• Continue to decline despite medical treatment.
• Have experienced multiple hospitalizations within the past six months.
• Are no longer benefiting from curative treatment.
• Wish to focus on comfort and quality of life.
• Ask questions such as, “How much time do I have?”
• Have caregivers who express exhaustion or increasing difficulty managing care.

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

Many healthcare professionals worry that introducing hospice will take away hope. In reality, patients and families often appreciate honest conversations that focus on their goals, priorities, and quality of life.

Helpful ways to begin the discussion include: 

• “Describe a good day for you.”
• “What are your goals for your care?”
• “Knowing where we are now, what is most important to you?”
• “I think it’s time we shift our focus toward comfort and quality of life.”
• “There is a team that can support both you and your family through this.”

Remind patients that hospice care is not about shortening life. Hospice focuses on maximizing comfort, dignity, and quality of life while providing compassionate support for both patients and those who love them.

WHY EARLIER REFERRALS MATTER

Late hospice referrals are common, but they can significantly limit the comfort, guidance and support available to patients and families. Hospice is designed to provide compassionate care over time, helping individuals live as fully and comfortably as possible while giving families the education, reassurance and support they need throughout the journey.

PARTNERING WITH HUDSON VALLEY HOSPICE

We are honored to partner with physicians and healthcare professionals throughout our community. A referral simply gives patients and families the opportunity to learn about hospice and determine whether our services are right for them. Patients remain eligible for hospice when they have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less.

Common diagnoses include:

• Cancer
• End Stage Cardiac Disease
• COPD
• ALS
• Parkinson’s Disease
• End Stage Kidney Disease
• End Stage Liver Disease
• Senile Degeneration of the Brain
• Other advanced life-limiting illnesses

FOR PHYSICIANS

Did you know that your patient can remain under your care while receiving hospice services?

Most patients prefer to keep their own physician throughout hospice care. We work collaboratively with attending physicians, providing regular communication while supporting patients with an interdisciplinary team that includes nurses, social workers, hospice aides, chaplains, volunteers and hospice physicians.

Our staff is available to explain your role in the patient’s care and assist with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance billing questions.

Healthcare professionals who participate in HealtheConnections can securely access their patients’ hospice information through their existing portal. If you are not currently a HealtheConnections user, we will work with you to ensure you remain informed throughout your patient’s hospice journey.

HOSPITAL & HEALTHCARE PARTNERS

We work closely with the following hospitals to provide a specialized, extra level of care and comfort for your patients. We partner closely with hospitals throughout the Hudson Valley to provide seamless transitions of care and timely hospice admissions.

Our hospital partners include:

• Ellenville Regional Hospital
• HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley
• Northern Dutchess Hospital
• MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center
• Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Patients whose pain or symptoms cannot be effectively managed in another setting may qualify for General Inpatient Hospice Care. If inpatient hospice is not appropriate, our team will coordinate a safe transition home or to a nursing facility. We encourage healthcare professionals to contact our Referral Center prior to discharge so we can coordinate durable medical equipment, medications and other services needed to ensure a safe and comfortable transition.

Following discharge, we help patients remain safely at home whenever possible, reducing unnecessary hospital readmissions, emergency department visits and after-hours calls to physicians.

PROVIDER RESOURCES

We offer a variety of educational materials and clinical resources to assist healthcare professionals in caring for patients with serious illness.

Available downloads include:

• Hudson Valley Hospice General Brochure
• Hudson Valley Medical Health Choices Palliative Care Brochure
• Time For Hospice Nursing Sheet
• Hudson Valley Hospice Physician Billing Guide
• Hospice and Palliative Care Referral Strip
• Hudson Valley Hospice Complex Care Flyer
• Myths and Facts About Hospice Care
• The Impact of Delayed Hospice Referrals Flyer
• When Is It Time to Refer to Hospice Flyer

Hudson Valley Hospice Formulary

When developing a patient’s plan of care, our clinical team utilizes medications included in the Hudson Valley Hospice Formulary whenever appropriate. Medications not listed may still be approved after review by our interdisciplinary team, including our Medical Director. Providers are encouraged to review the formulary to assist with coordinated prescribing and continuity of care.

READY TO REFER A PATIENT?

Our Referral Center is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer questions, discuss eligibility and coordinate hospice admissions. A referral is simply an opportunity for patients and families to learn about hospice care. The earlier the conversation begins, the greater the opportunity to provide comfort, dignity and compassionate support when it matters most.