Answering the need for better end-of-life care.

Hospice care as we know today dates back to the 1800's in Europe.  The first hospice in the United States opened in 1974 in New Haven, Connectitut.  It was modeled after St. Christopher's Hospice founded by Cicely Saunders, a pioneer of the hospice movement who brought dignity and respect to the treatment of terminally ill patients. In 1983, hospices became eligible for Medicare reimbursement, providing federal funds to advance the hospice mission. Hospice is dedicated to: 

• Making patients' lives as comfortable and fulfilling as possible;
• providing care measures that reduce pain and symptoms, and
• promoting patients' involvement in the choice of care.   
   

Eligibility

To be eligible for hospice care, a patient generally must have a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less.  Ultimately, it is the patient's right to determine when hospice is appropriate.  However, a physician must certify that a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has a life expectancy of six months or less.  A written confirmation by the attending physician allows the patient to begin a hospice-care program, as well as the patient's wish to forego continuing curative therapies.  Once the referral is made, an admission nurse is sent to evaluate the patient's medical record and discuss the needs of the patient.  At Beacon Hospice, admission is acted on within four hours of a physician's order.

Hospice care is covered by Medicare.  Most people 65 years old or older who have paid into the Social Security program are eligible for Medicare benefits, which cover hospice care under Part A of coverage.  In addition, most private insurance plans, HMO's, and other managed-care organizatons include hospice care as a benefit.

Once a patient is placed under hospice care, all medications, equipment, and supplies related to the terminal diagnosis are coverd by the Medicare hospice benefit.  Patients covered by Medicare and Medicare risk plans are also eligible for hospice benefits.

Diagnoses most frequently leading to hospice care:

• cancer;
• advanced dementia;
• end-stage COPD;
• HIV-related conditions;
• end-stage liver disease;
• end-stage renal disease;
• end-stage hemorrhagic stroke, and
• decline in health status.

Creating higher standards of care

Beacon Hospice is a Medicare, Medicaid and CHAP certified program providing superior end-of-life care services.  Founded in 1995 to better serve the needs of terminally ill patients, Beacon Hospice believes in "quality of living."  Driven by patients' choices and the manner in which they wish to live out their lives, we're striving to establish the highest standard in hospice care.

One of our major goals is the promotion of a higher level of understanding about the Medicare hospice benefit, the levels of care, and the services available.  To achieve this, we provide well-trained staff to work with hospitals, nursing homes, discharge planners, patients, families, and physicians.

Beacon Hospice is especially proud of its contribution in New England in these areas:

• developing standards of care;
• creating and delivering educational competency programs;
• advancing palliative care specialist programs;
• providing inpatient care capabilities;
• championing definitive palliative care, and
• exploring quality-of-life outcomes in the terminally ill patient.

Beacon Hospice continues to expand its service area throughout New England, with offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.