Hospice Bridge Program

Reliant at Home Hospice Bridge Program

When it is especially difficult to determine if it is the right time to transition to Hospice, Reliant at Home can evaluate the option to provide Home Health services first as a way to bridge care until Hospice is elected and appropriate. We understand it can be scary to choose Hospice right away and it can take time to become comfortable with the decision.

Here are the main differences between Home Health and Hospice services:

Home Health

The goal of home health care is to treat an illness or injury and help the patient regain independence

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) requires a 20% Medicare co-pay and medications are covered by the patient

Clinicians are on-call 24/7, a crisis may be deferred to the ER

Hospice

The focus of hospice is to provide physical, spiritual, and psychosocial comfort measures

Durable Medical Equipment (DME), medications related to the terminal illness, and palliative care medications are 100% covered by Medicare

Clinicians are on call 24/7 and available to make after hour visits to avoid trips to the ER and hospital

Transitioning from Home Health to Hospice

Reliant at Home’s multi-system approach and feedback from our exceptional Home Health clinicians help us to identify escalating trends or sudden changes in condition that may trigger Hospice appropriateness. Frequent hospitalizations, lack of appetite, weight loss, and a decline in functional status are common Hospice indicators.
Our Home Health RN Case Manager or LVN, who most likely know the patient and family best, may recommend Hospice as an option if Home Health can no longer meet the patient’s clinical needs or achieve the Plan of Care goals. This thoughtful and careful discussion has more meaning in the context of care already being provided and can make the Hospice decision more peaceful.
If helpful, a Reliant at Home Hospice representative will meet with the patient, family, and other loved ones to review Hospice services, explain what to expect, and answer questions.
If Hospice is elected, our Home Health and Hospice clinical teams will coordinate care to ensure a seamless transition. We will also help facilitate the required physician orders, equipment, and medications to get services started in a smooth and timely manner.

To speak with a Reliant at Home representative about our services, please contact us.