Hospice care is appropriate when treatments are no longer effective and the burden of the disease or condition becomes too much to bear for the patient and family. Our goal is to provide relief from physical and emotional pain so that patients and loved ones can get the very most out of their remaining days.

If the patient’s condition improves, he or she can be discharged from hospice and return to clinical treatment or resume daily life. If the patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare or Medicaid and most insurance programs allow additional coverage.

When a patient is ready to receive hospice care, we call the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient. The patient will be asked to sign a consent form confirming that the patient understands that hospice care is palliative, that is, aimed at comfort and pain relief, rather than a cure.

Two things. 1.) We’re a non-profit. This frees us to focus entirely on the care of our patients and families—no matter their age, diagnosis, or ability to pay. Simply put, we put people first, always. 2.) We’re innovators. Through research, education and new approaches, The Hospice of Michigan Institute is leading the way for end-of-life care in Michigan and throughout the country.

Hospice care is covered by most insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and most commercial insurers and HMOs. Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare for people who have a life expectancy of six months or less. Medicare will pay 100% of all hospice team services, medications, durable medical equipment, and medical supplies related to the terminal illness and/or prognosis. Room and board costs in a facility are considered custodial care and are not covered under the Medicare hospice benefit.  Occasionally, other insurers will cover room and board costs. For non-Medicare patients, any applicable patient pays, spend-downs, co-pays, or deductibles will apply.

However, Hospice of Michigan accepts everyone who needs and seeks our services regardless of your ability to pay, and we are always willing to work with our patients and families to insure there is open access to our program.