Eligibility

Who May Be Eligible For Hospice Care

If your Doctor has certified that life expectancy is six months or less or until disease takes its natural course, you may be eligible for hospice. This applies to anyone of any age. Amida Hospice Care Inc. accepts patients ages 18 and over. You will remain eligible to reapply for hospice care if it again becomes necessary.

You are also permitted to change your mind and decide to return to curative treatment if you feel that it is a right decision for you or your loved one.You may also enter the hospital for certain types of treatment, as long as the intervention is not related to your hospice diagnosis, and if the treatment involves improving your quality of life.

While the majority of hospice referrals are cancer related, a hospice is by no means exclusively for cancer patients. People with Debility, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), end stage kidney, liver or lung disease, as well as Alzheimer’s disease can also greatly benefit from hospice care. Alzheimer’s disease, in particular, is often overlooked for hospice referral because of its slow progression. People with Alzheimer’s are usually referred to hospice when they are in the final stages of the illness, which can be very helpful to family members even if the person can no longer communicate. Amida Hospice Care Inc. provides translators if required, in order to assure accuracy and continuity of care. On site evaluation is offered as a part of our hospice program and it is free of charge.

Who Pays for Hospice?

Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal and most private insurance. Since Amida Hospice Care Inc. accepts Medicare and Medicaid as coverage for hospice care, there are no out-of-pocket expenses for eligible patients or their loved ones.