Hospice Admission Criteria

To comply with State and Federal regulations, a patient must meet two specific criteria to qualify for hospice care:

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• Physician Certification of Life Expectancy: Two licensed physicians must independently assess and certify that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less, assuming the illness progresses in its typical manner without unexpected improvements.

• Choice of Care Focus: The patient must actively choose to receive palliative care, which prioritizes comfort and symptom management, over treatments aimed at curing the illness.

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Patients who meet these eligibility requirements often exhibit one or more of the following conditions:

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• Frequent Hospital Admissions: An increased need for hospital stays due to worsening health conditions.

• Progressive Weight Loss: Ongoing and significant reduction in body weight, which may indicate advanced illness.

• Deterioration in Mental Capabilities: A noticeable decline in cognitive functions, impacting the patient's daily living and decision-making abilities.

• Recurrent Infections: An increase in the frequency and severity of infections, suggesting a compromised immune system.

• Decreased Ability to Perform Daily Activities: A marked reduction in the patient's capacity to carry out basic daily tasks and self-care (Activities of Daily Living or ADLs), often due to physical or mental impairments.