Top Ten Questions About Big Bend Hospice
and the Answers
1. Who can make the decision that a person is ready for hospice care?
Your doctor is the professional who makes the determination that your illness or condition makes you
eligible for hospice care.
2. Who can refer a person to Big Bend Hospice for care?
Anyone can make the referral to Big Bend Hospice. Family, friends, clergy, and caregivers can suggest that
their loved one might be eligible for hospice care. You or they can call Big Bend Hospice at (850) 878-5310 or
toll free (800) 772-5862 at any time for more information and guidance. All admissions must have a referral
from the patient’s doctor. Sometimes physicians are reluctant to tell a patient that there is no cure and that the
illness or condition is terminal. It is appropriate for the family to urge the patient to request a hospice referral,
or if the patient is not able to do so, to suggest the doctor make the referral.
3. What kind of illness or condition qualifies a person for Big Bend Hospice care?
Many think that hospice care is for cancer patients only. Not true. While Big Bend Hospice provides care to
cancer patients, care is also provided for those with end-stage heart, lung and liver disease, kidney failure,
AIDS, Alzheimer’s, end-stage dementia, and many other illnesses and conditions that limit life.
Big Bend Hospice provides care to anyone who is diagnosed by his or her doctor with a terminal illness or
condition. The doctor states that if the illness or condition follows normal progression, the patient would have
six months or less to live. Understand that hospice care is not limited to that time. With hospice expert care,
symptom management and pain control, many patients far exceed their prognosis. As long as a patient’s health is declining because of the terminal diagnosis, hospice continues to provide care.
4. What does hospice care cost?
First, no one is ever refused Big Bend Hospice services because of inability to pay. Hospice care is 100%
covered for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. This coverage includes prescription medicines prescribed
for the terminal diagnosis, medical equipment and medical supplies. Services rendered by the patient’s physician are billed to Medicare part B and Medicaid in the usual manner. Big Bend Hospice also accepts reimbursement from commercial health insurance and HMO plans that provide hospice benefits. Patients, based on their ability to pay, can also make private payment.
Big Bend Hospice is able to provide services to everyone regardless of ability to pay because of community
support and contributions.
5. What does “hospice care” involve?
Have you heard the term,
palliative care? The meaning is simple: palliative care is
comfort care. An
example of palliative care that you most likely have experienced is the treatment of the common cold. We take
cold medications that treat our symptoms such as a stuffy nose, without curing the cold itself. What does
palliative care mean to a Big Bend Hospice patient? It means medical care dedicated to patient comfort and
effective management of the pain and symptoms after it has been determined there is no cure.
6. What services will a Big Bend Hospice patient receive?
Each patient is assigned a team of professionals experienced in helping those with life-limiting illness
complete life’s journey with comfort, dignity and in a manner the patient desires. Big Bend Hospice’s team is
a team of professionals to help you and your loved ones obtain physical, mental and spiritual care and support.
The team includes your personal doctor and the Big Bend Hospice Medical Director, nurse and family support
counselor/social worker. This team establishes a plan of care to meet patient needs throughout the illness. The team also is
there to assist the family. Big Bend Hospice’s professional team includes board certified music therapists,
chaplains, grief counselors, and trained volunteers working along with your doctors, nurses, health aides and
counselors.
7. Where is Big Bend Hospice?
Big Bend Hospice is not a place – it is a service. Big Bend Hospice professionals provide end-of-life care to
patients wherever the patient wishes to be. This can be in the patient’s home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, a hospital – our staff has even provided services to patients in homeless shelters. The key is that you and your family can decide where you want to be.
8. What about the Hospice House?
Big Bend Hospice offers our patients a wonderful home-like 12-room facility located in Tallahassee for
short-term crisis care. When 24-hour medical supervision is needed, Big Bend Hospice patients may go to the
Hospice House. The Hospice House provides transitional care from hospital to home, advanced pain control,
respite care, and care when a patient’s condition is such that the caregiver can no longer provide for their needs at home. Costs for short term crisis care and respite in Hospice House are also covered by the Hospice Medicare & Medicaid Benefit.
9. What services are provided to my family?
Big Bend Hospice cares for the entire family – not just the patient. Our team of professionals helps educate
the family members regarding the progression of the illness so they will be better able to assist and care for the patient. Family Support Counselors/Social Workers support family members as well as the patient. They also coordinate
community resources to help families solve the personal and financial problems created by life-limiting illness.
Bereavement counselors are here to support your loved ones even after you are gone.
10. What about hope—don’t you give up hope when you call hospice?
No! Hospice care is all about hope. Hope for completing your life the way you want. Hope to prepare.
Hope to have your affairs in order. Hope to have comfort and dignity. The expert care and services from Big
Bend Hospice’s trained professionals offer the best in end-of-life care and planning to help you complete life’s
journey on your own terms.
Big Bend Hospice is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization serving our 8-county service area since 1983. Our mission is to provide compassionate care to individuals with a life-limiting illness, comfort to their families and emotional support to anyone who has lost a loved one. 
