Hospice care in a nursing home is not a substitute for nor is it a duplication of services provided by a Skilled Nursing Facility. Primarily, it is an enhancement of those services and benefits. The highly skilled hospice team works with the nursing home staff specifically in the area of pain management and symptom management. The team focuses attention particularly on the relief of stress and anxiety associated with caring for the terminally ill patient and his/her family.

The Hospice interdisciplinary team provides physician services, RN case management, social work, spiritual care, bereavement counseling, as well as assistance of highly trained volunteers. The Hospice team works in conjunction with the patient's own personal physician and with the patient care staff at the facility to provide hospice care and support for the patient and his/her family in a compassionate professional manner.

To be eligible for Hospice services in a nursing home the patient must be a resident of one of our contracted nursing facilities, have a life-limiting illness with approximately six months or less life expectancy, and be willing, with physician consent, to participate in Hospice care.

Reimbursement for hospice services is available through Medicare, Medicaid and contracted private insurance.

Nursing home room and board is not covered under the hospice benefit. Generally, room and board payments are made in one of two ways:

Private Pay: Patients pay the skilled nursing facility directly.

Medicaid: Room & board is paid by Medicaid, but hospice facilitates the billing and payment process. Our trained staff help assess if a person is Medicaid eligible.

Anyone can make a referral to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.  If you or someone you know is in need of Hospice services, call our referral coordinator directly at (845) 561-6111 ext. 309 or ask your physician about referral for Hospice care.