Will my insurance cover Palliative Care services?
Most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover Palliative Care services with routine copays and typically don’t require a referral from your Primary Care Provider.
What’s the difference between hospice and Palliative Care?
Hospice care is comfort care for people who are facing a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care focuses on keeping a patient comfortable and prepares the patient and the patient’s family for the patient’s end of life once it is determined that treatment for the illness will no longer be pursued. Hospice will not use life-prolonging medications. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. It is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and family. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis and it is appropriate at any age and any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.
Where will I receive Palliative Care?
Palliative care is provided in a variety of settings including at Elliot hospital, at our outpatient clinic, and in area skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes).
What can I expect from Palliative Care?
Our team aims to provide relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. We work to help patients to carry on with their daily lives and improve patient’s ability to tolerate medical treatments. Our team will work with you and your family to better understand your condition and your choices for medical care while keeping your personal goals as our focus. We are also available to help with medical advance directive paperwork.
How do I access Palliative Care?
Tell your doctors and nurses that you would like to see the Palliative Care team and a referral will be placed based on your physical location.
Am I eligible for medical marijuana?
We will certify patients for TC if they are generally appropriate for Palliative Care. Review the information on NH medical marijuana here.
What does DNR mean and how does it work?