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Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice and Blue Sky Hospice

1. When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made and who should make it?  
2. Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
3. Is all hospice care the same?
4. Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
5. What does the hospice admission process involve?
6. Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
7. How many family members or friends does it take to care forve a patient at home?
8. Must someone be with the patient at all times?
9. What specific assistance does BLUE SKY HOSPICE provide home-based patients?
10. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
11. Is caring for the patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
12. How does BLUE SKY HOSPICE “manage pain”?
13. What is BLUE SKY HOSPICE’S success rate in battling pain?
14. Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what’s happening?
15. Is BLUE SKY HOSPICE affiliated with any religious organization?
16. Is hospice care covered by insurance?
17. If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expense to be paid?

Have specific questions about our services?

1. When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made and who should make it?  
At any time during a life-limiting illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. BLUE SKY HOSPICE accepts patients who have a life-expectancy of six months or less and who are referred by their personal physician.
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2. Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends.
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3. Is all hospice care the same?
No.  Medicare requires certified hospices provide a basic level of care but the quantity and quality of all services can vary significantly from one hospice to another.  BLUE SKY HOSPICE strives to provide the best care for your needs.  You may want to call or meet with us or you may have specific questions about our agency services.
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4. Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
Certainly. If the patient’s condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on about their daily life. If the discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
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5. What does the hospice admission process involve?
One of the first things that BLUE SKY HOSPICE  will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. We also have medical staff available to help patients who have no physician.  The patient will be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital. The form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage. Back to top

6. Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
BLUE SKY HOSPICE  will assess your needs, recommend any equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain any necessary equipment. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses. In general, BLUE SKY HOSPICE  will assist in any way it can to make home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible.
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7. How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
There’s no set number. One of the first things our hospice team will do is to prepare an individualized care plan that will, among other things, address the amount of caregiving needed by the patient. BLUE SKY HOSPICE staff visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions.
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8. Must someone be with the patient at all times?
In the early weeks of care, it’s usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, BLUE SKY HOSPICE generally recommends someone be there continuously. While family and friends do deliver most of the care, hospices may have volunteers to assist with errands and to provide a break and time away for primary caregivers.
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9. What specific assistance does BLUE SKY HOSPICE provide home-based patients?
Patients are cared for by a team consisting of a physician, a nurse, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists, and volunteers. Each one provides assistance based on his or her own area of expertise. In addition, hospices provide medications, supplies, equipment, and other services related to the terminal illness.
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10. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
BLUE SKY HOSPICE neither hastens nor postpones dying. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.
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11. Is caring for the patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
No. BLUE SKY HOSPICE patients receive care in their personal residences, nursing homes, hospital hospice units and inpatient hospice centers.
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12. How does BLUE SKY HOSPICE “manage pain”?
We believe that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it can address each. Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists can assist patients to be as mobile and self sufficient as they wish, and they are sometimes joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, massage and diet counseling. Finally, various counselors, including clergy, are available to assist family members as well as patients.
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13. What is BLUE SKY HOSPICE’S success rate in battling pain?
Very high. Using some combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort they consider acceptable.
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14. Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what’s happening?
Usually not. It is the goal of BLUE SKY HOSPICE  to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible. By constantly consulting with the patient and physician, BLUE SKY HOSPICE  has been very successful in reaching this goal.
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15. Is BLUE SKY HOSPICE affiliated with any religious organization?
No.  We serve a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.
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16. Is hospice care covered by insurance?
Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid in 47 states, and by most private insurance providers. To be sure of coverage, families should, of course, check with their employer or health insurance provider.
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17. If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expense to be paid?
The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the full scope of medical and support services for a life-limiting illness. Hospice care also supports the family and loved ones of the person through a variety of services. This benefit covers almost all aspects of hospice care with little expense to the patient or family.
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Do you have specific questions about our services?

There are a number of questions you might ask when deciding on a hospice program.

Accreditation: Is the agency accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body?
Certification: Is this hospice program Medicare certified?
Licenser Is the program licensed by the state?
Consumer information: Does the agency have written statements outlining services, eligibility criteria, costs, and payment procedures, employee job descriptions, malpractice, and liability insurance?
References: How many years has the agency been serving your community? Can the agency provide references from professionals, such as a hospital or community social workers, who have used this agency?
Admission Assessment: How can we make sure we are a good fit with BLUE SKY HOSPICE?
Plan of care: Does the agency create a plan of care for each new patient?
Family caregiver: Does the hospice require a designated family primary caregiver as a condition of admission?
Telephone response: Does the agency have a 24-hour telephone number you can call when you have questions?
Services Area: What are its geographic service boundaries?
Patient’s rights and responsibilities: Does the agency explain these?

Accreditation: Is the agency accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body?
Yes.  BLUE SKY HOSPICE received accredidation from Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) in April, 2009.  This means that our organization has voluntarily sought accreditation and is committed to providing quality care. CHAP is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and is an important resource in selecting quality health care services.
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Certification: Is this hospice program Medicare certified?
Yes.  BLUE SKY HOSPICE  has been Medicare certified which means that we have met federal minimum requirements for patient care and management.
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Licenser Is the program licensed by the state?
Yes.  Under the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, BLUE SKY HOSPICE is licensed under the provision of the Health and Safety Code 142 to provide Hospice services.
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Consumer information: Does the agency have written statements outlining services, eligibility criteria, costs, and payment procedures, employee job descriptions, malpractice, and liability insurance?
Yes.  These are available in our office located at 4444 Corona Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
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References: How many years has the agency been serving your community? Can the agency provide references from professionals, such as a hospital or community social workers, who have used this agency?
Yes.  Ask us to provide specific names and telephone numbers. BLUE SKY HOSPICE will provide these on request. We encourage you to talk with these people about their experiences. We are members of the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce or you can check with the Better Business Bureau, or the State Attorney General’s office.
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Admission Assessment: How can we make sure we are a good fit with BLUE SKY HOSPICE?
If you are not certain whether you or your loved one qualifies for hospice, or whether you even want it, BLUE SKY HOSPICE will make an assessment to help clarify these issues. If you still do not feel comfortable, that may be a sign that it is not a good fit.
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Plan of care: Does the agency create a plan of care for each new patient?
Yes.  BLUE SKY HOSPICE will develop a plan of care that is carefully and professionally developed with you and your family.  The Plan of Care identifies patient needs, will include set goals and will list specific activities to meet your needs.  The Plan of Care also is updated as the patient’s needs change.   
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Family caregiver: Does the hospice require a designated family primary caregiver as a condition of admission?
Yes.  BLUE SKY HOSPICE staff will review responsibilities expected of the family caregiver.  We will also provide referrals for additional support from community agencies, and our volunteers.
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Telephone response: Does the agency have a 24-hour telephone number you can call when you have questions?
Yes.  You may contact us at (361) 723-1049 or toll free:  (888) 777-3921.
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Services Area: What are its geographic service boundaries?
BLUE SKY HOSPICE serves individuals and families affected by life-threatening illnesses who live in the greater Corpus Christi area, including the counties of Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Kleberg and Jim Wells.
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Patient’s rights and responsibilities: Does the agency explain these?
Yes.  Patient’s rights and responsibilities are reviewed at the initial assessment visit.  Ask to see a copy of our agency’s patient’s rights and responsibilities information.
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