Hospice FAQ

It may be time when treatment can no longer cure the illness, or when the burden of treatment and symptoms outweighs the benefit. Hospice eligibility is determined through a medical evaluation and physician certification in accordance with Medicare guidelines.

Signs that it may be time include frequent hospital visits, weight loss, more time spent sleeping, and needing more help with daily activities. If you are unsure, call us. An evaluation costs nothing.

Anyone can ask for a hospice evaluation, at no cost: the patient, a family member, a friend or a doctor. Call us at (210) 817-4746. Hospice eligibility is determined through a medical evaluation and physician certification in accordance with Medicare guidelines.

No. You or your loved one can contact Elegant Hospice Care directly without a physician referral. Our team will guide you through the evaluation process and coordinate the necessary physician certification to determine hospice eligibility.

Same-day evaluations are available during business hours. Call us at (210) 817-4746.

No. Choosing hospice does not mean giving up hope. It means shifting the focus from curing an illness to providing comfort, dignity, and quality of life. At Elegant Hospice Care, our goal is to help patients live each day as comfortably and meaningfully as possible while providing compassionate support to their families.

Hospice care is covered by Medicare Part A, Texas Medicaid, and many private insurance plans for eligible patients.

At Elegant Hospice Care, there are no out-of-pocket costs for hospice-covered medications, medical supplies, equipment, and services related to the patient’s terminal illness and associated conditions.

Our team will verify your insurance benefits, explain your coverage, and answer any questions you may have.

Yes. Hospice provides the medications, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis, such as a hospital bed, a wheelchair, oxygen, and medications for pain and other symptoms. We also deliver medications to the patient.

Wherever the patient lives: their own home, a family member’s home, an assisted living community or a nursing home. We serve San Antonio and the surrounding area.

It depends on the patient’s needs. The individualized plan of care sets how often nurses, aides, social workers and chaplains visit, and it changes when the patient’s needs change. Our nursing staff are on call 24/7 between visits.

Elegant Hospice Care provides 24/7 on-call nursing support, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Our nursing staff are available to address concerns, provide guidance, and assess urgent patient needs. When medically necessary, an on-call nurse can arrange an in-person visit and coordinate with the hospice physician for additional medical guidance.

Yes. Patients may choose to keep their current physician as their attending physician while receiving hospice care. Elegant Hospice Care will coordinate with the patient’s chosen physician to ensure continuity of care and appropriate medical management.

Yes. At Elegant Hospice Care, we encourage patients and their families to actively participate in care planning. Our team provides ongoing communication, education, and guidance to help families understand their loved one’s needs and what to expect throughout hospice care. Care plans are individualized and adjusted as the patient’s condition and needs change.

Hospice care is provided through scheduled visits based on each patient’s individual needs and plan of care. Family members or designated caregivers remain responsible for day-to-day care between visits.

Elegant Hospice Care provides 24/7 on-call nursing support for urgent concerns and changes in a patient’s condition. During qualifying medical crises, additional nursing care, including continuous home care, may be provided when medically necessary and in accordance with Medicare guidelines.

Short-term inpatient respite care may also be available to provide temporary relief for caregivers.

Yes. Hospice care is always a personal choice. Patients have the right to discontinue hospice services at any time. If a patient’s condition improves and they no longer meet hospice eligibility requirements, they may be discharged from hospice care.

Patients may also choose to return to hospice in the future if they meet eligibility requirements.

Hospice care is not limited to six months. Patients may continue receiving hospice services as long as they meet Medicare’s eligibility requirements. Our hospice team regularly evaluates each patient’s condition, and the hospice physician completes the required recertifications to determine continued eligibility.

Yes. We have Spanish-speaking staff who can talk with patients and families in Spanish.

Both palliative care and hospice care focus on comfort, symptom management, and improving quality of life.

Palliative care provides specialized support for individuals living with serious illnesses and may be received alongside treatments intended to cure or manage the condition.

Hospice care is designed for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness who have a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its normal course. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support rather than curative treatment of the terminal illness.

At Elegant Hospice Care, our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that supports patients and their families throughout their hospice journey.

Our bereavement team supports the family with grief counseling and check-ins after their loss. Under Medicare, hospices offer bereavement support to the family for up to a year.

Yes. Elegant Hospice Care is accredited for hospice by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), an independent organization that checks home and community health care providers against national standards.