Frequently Asked Questions
At Safeway Hospice Corp, we believe two-way communication between the patient (and their family) and our staff is necessary to facilitate the best care possible for the patient. That’s why we take the time to listen to our patients and their families to understand their needs and wants.
We also provide patients and their families with the most information possible about our practice and how to receive the best care possible.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about our services.
What should I expect from hospice care?
Once your loved one becomes a patient of Safeway Hospice Corp, medical equipment and medications will be delivered to their home or assisted living facility, and the hospice team will begin to visit. Our staff is highly trained on each individual care plan created by the doctors, nurses, and family, so we can give the most effective care possible.
We treat every patient with the same compassion, but individualize each patient’s plan of care to deliver the necessary services for optimal results. We also maintain constant communication with the patient’s family as well as their medical care team to ensure the patient continues to receive the care they need.
What qualifies someone for hospice care?
Anyone with a certified terminal illness – such as ALS, cancer, dementia, heart disease, HIV, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or coma – and with an estimated six months or less to live qualifies for hospice care. In most cases, the patient’s doctors will recommend hospice care to the family as this time approaches.
When should hospice care be considered?
Hospice care is considered appropriate after a doctor has estimated that a patient has six months or less to live. At that point, both the doctor and patient will decide to move from an active curative treatment plan to a regimen that is focused on maintaining quality of life for as long as possible.
Who pays for hospice care?
Most hospice patients don’t pay out of pocket for services related to the reason they are in hospice care. The most common ways hospice is paid for include Medicare Part A, Medicaid, private insurance, and TRICARE.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
At Safeway Hospice Corp, we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major HMO, PPO medical insurance plans. Please contact your insurance company to find out if your specific plan covers our hospice care services. You may also call our office at (818) 945-5964 to find out if we accept your plan.
Will hospice care involve anything that makes death come sooner?
It is neither the goal of hospice care to prolong a patient’s life nor hasten the patient’s death, but rather to make the patient’s quality of life as good as possible during their final months, weeks, and days.
Where can hospice services be provided?
Safeway Hospice Corp can provide services right in the comfort of the patient’s home. Depending on the patient’s condition, intensive comfort care® ICC (continuous home care) may be preferred, while short-term inpatient hospital care and respite care are also options.
What if a patient lives beyond six months?
If a patient is receiving hospice care and lives longer than six months, they can continue to receive hospice care as long as they meet the Medicare or private insurance requirements.
Caring and Compassionate Hospice Service in Los Angeles, California
If you have questions that are not answered in the FAQs above, please give us a call, and we will be happy to assist you. For more information or to enroll a loved one in our comprehensive hospice services, call Safeway Hospice Corp today at (818) 945-5964.
