Often, patients and their families are referred to hospice by a physician or other medical professional (nursing home, hospital discharge planner, etc.). But in other cases, the patients and families can contact the hospice directly to determine whether this care is the right answer for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. If after learning more about hospice, you believe that you or your loved one might be eligible, here are the steps you can take to elect the hospice benefit:

1. Call 1-866-VISTACARE (847-8222).
   
   
2. A VistaCare representative will explain more about the services offered, ask some health-related questions to begin assessing eligibility, and answer any initial questions you might have.
   
   
3. If the patient lives within VistaCare's service area and eligibility appears to be indicated, an appointment will be scheduled for a member of the VistaCare team to visit wherever the patient calls home for a more thorough eligibility review.
   
   
4. If this in-person review continues to indicate eligibility, the VistaCare team member will answer any of your questions and walk the patient step-by-step through the process of electing the hospice benefit. VistaCare also will coordinate the hospice certification process with your personal physician, if necessary.
   
   
5. A registered nurse will then visit the patient to conduct a more detailed assessment and will begin to develop an individualized plan of care in conjunction with the patient, the family, and the entire interdisciplinary care team. The nurse will also coordinate care with the patient's attending physician, if applicable.

To learn whether hospice might be the right answer for you or a loved one and to start this process today, visit our "Is Hospice the Answer?" page on-line or call VistaCare at 1-866-VISTACARE (847-8222).