Release from Hospice Care

Individuals who are terminally ill can benefit from hospice care which can be provided in various ways. Some people choose to be given hospice care in their own home and choose to do it in facilities that are especially designed for providing this type of services. But the patients may be released from various reasons, which will be discussed in the rest of the article. These three main reasons include revocation of the election, transferring to another hospice or discharge from hospice. The revocation of the election occurs when the beneficiary, meaning the patient, or his representative revoke the election of hospice in writing. This can occur at any time and it is the means through which people refuse to continue with this type of care. One can only revoke it in writing, through a signed statement to the hospice which must contain the date of revocation. Verbal statements are not accepted in most cases. The revocation of the election is primarily the choice of the beneficiary or his representative and the hospice cannot revoke the beneficiary's election.

Beneficiaries may as well be transferred to another hospice. This is again the choice of the patients or his representatives and it is usually performed in order to change the designation of hospice programs through a signed statement intended for the current hospice care provider. It is important to remember that the changed of the designated hospice is not seen as a revocation of election and that the date of transfer is billable for both hospice care providers.

Finally, patients may be discharged from hospice from three main reasons including the fact that the patient no longer fits the definition of 'terminally ill', the patients moves out of the hospice agency's area or it is a decision taken by the agency as a result of inappropriate behavior of the patient (disruptive, abusive or uncooperative to such an extent that it makes delivery of care impossible).