The philosophy of hospice care revolves around the importance of advocating the needs of
the terminally ill. Hospice care neither hastens death, nor prolongs life but strives to make death a natural part of life.
Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life limiting illness or injury, hospice
and palliative care involves an interdisciplinary team-oriented approach (An interdisciplinary team consists of physicians,
nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides and trained volunteers) to expert medical care, pain management, and
emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Working as a team, these professionals,
along with the patient's primary caregiver, work to assure that the patient is comfortable and receives needed care while
functioning at the highest level possible. Support is provided to the patient's loved ones as well. At the center of hospice
and palliative care is the belieft that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families
will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Our goal is to care for each patient with dignity, understanding,
compassion and respect.
Hospice focuses on caring, not curing and, in most cases, care is provided in the patient's home. Hospice care also is
provided in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers and other facilities. Hospice services are covered under Medicare,
Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed health care plans. Compass Hospice provides services regardless
of a patient's ability to pay.
Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Bereavement follow-up services: grief counseling and support groups are available for 13 months after the death of a loved
one.
Our full range of services include:
Nursing Care-
Social Services
Home Health Aides
Physician
Pain and Symptom Management
Pharmacy Services
Respite
Medical Supplies
Durable Medical Equipment
Bereavement Services
Pastoral Counseling
Volunteer Services
Speech Therapy
Dietary Assistance
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Continuous Crisis Care
Paying for Hospice Care:
Hospice care is covered by the Medicare and /or Medicaid hospice benefit, as well as by many private insurance plans.
HMOs and Champus/Tricare for military veterans. Compass Hospice is contracted with insurance plans or we will contact
your insurance for coverage. A patient can remain on hospice care beyond six months if a physician recertifies the s/he
is terminally ill. Most insurance policies have benefits that may cover all or part of hospice care. Please check
with your provider for coverage details. Compass Hospice, Inc. is fully licensed by the Texas Department of Health and
certified by Medicare and Medicaid.
Care Fund:
Compass Hospice, Inc. has established a patient care fund to help ensure that no patient will be denied services because
of inability to pay.
Referral and Admission Requirements:
To receive hospice care, please ask your doctor for a referral or contact Compass Hospice directly. Admission requirements
are based on the following criteria: approval of attending physician, cannot be seeking aggressive treatment, and a
terminal prognosis of 6 months or less to live. Patient services are provided without regard to race, color, creed,
age, sex, handicap, or place of national origin.
