Anyone can make a patient referral for hospice care, however a physician determines if a patient meets criteria for hospice. There are two criteria. First, a patient must have a life-threatening diagnosis such as but limited to cancer, stage 3 heart failure, dementia, or any other life-threatening or terminal illness. Secondly, the physician must certify the patient’s prognosis to live is 6 months or less if the illness runs its normal course..

Medicare and Medicaid cover hospice services 100% if you meet eligibility criteria; other insurance companies may require prior authorization as well as have deductibles and co-payments requirements. Appalachian Hospice will not turn a patient away based on their inability to pay. Please contact us concerning our charity/indigent care policy.

You or your loved one should consider hospice care when medical treatments can no longer cure their disease or when the burden of treating symptoms outweighs the benefits of treatment. Although end-of-life care can be difficult to discuss, talking about hospice early allows for educated decisions as well as to understand a loved one’s wishes before a crisis occurs.

Hospice services should be started at the earliest opportunity so our hospice care team can assist you with the best quality of care in a dignified manner at the end of life. If you are questioning if you or a loved one qualifies for or wants hospice services, please call 706-781-0924 (Blairsville) or 706-253-4015 (Jasper) to speak with one of our Community Liaisons.

Our Hospice team includes Medical Directors (a physician), nurse practitioners, nurses, certified hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and trained volunteers.

No. Our services are determined based on each person’s assessed needs. We will educate you on how to care for your loved one and through the involvement of our Social Workers we can also refer additional outside resources, if needed. Visit frequencies of hospice team members are individualized to meet each patient’s needs. Further, a Hospice nurse is available by phone 24/7, 365 days a year as needed for questions and if required home visits.

Our goal is to help people live as actively as possible free of pain and discomfort. Morphine or other pain medications will only be given when deemed necessary for symptom management as ordered by one of our Medical Directors.

Call us first. One of our hospice staff members will give instructions and or make an in-person visit. Hospice is considered your 911!