How We Help Home Healthcare Agencies

While symptoms vary from one individual to another, they may include:

• Uncontrolled or increased pain
• Progressive decline despite maximal medical therapies
• Increased difficulty breathing
• Increased difficulty swallowing
• Progressive edema (swelling)
• Uncontrolled nausea/vomiting
• Oxygen dependence
• Progressive weight loss
• Progressive renal insufficiency
• Frequent infections
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Bedbound
• Profound weakness, fatigue

The patient remains at home, and VITAS can titrate the level of care according to the patient's needs. The patient maintains quality of life and control over day-to-day decisions for as long as possible.

VITAS also provides:

• An interdisciplinary team, consisting of a nurse, social worker, physician, chaplain and hospice aide, supported by services as needed for optimal care.
• When medically necessary, VITAS provides care for up to 24 hours a day to manage a patient's symptoms at home.
• VITAS can continue to provide care to patients admitted to assisted living communities and nursing homes and can initiate care to existing residents.
• Care can be provided in an inpatient setting for short stays to manage uncontrolled symptoms or to provide family relief.
• Prescription and over-the-counter drugs related to the hospice diagnosis are provided at no charge to the patient.
• All equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis are provided and covered 100 percent.
• VITAS' 24/7 Telecare® service connects patients and their caregivers with hospice clinicians who can quickly review electronic information about the patient.
• Bereavement counseling is an integral part of service to families for at least one year following a death.
• Trained volunteers are available for patient and family support.
• VITAS accepts Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, private insurance and other forms of reimbursement for its hospice services.

Agencies that refer declining patients early to VITAS for hospice care might experience some of the following benefits:

• Appropriate secondary site of care
• Assistance with attaining a more balanced case mix
• Improved Home Health Compare ratings and satisfaction levels
• Compliance with accreditation entities

A family can request a hospice evaluation if the patient resides in a private residence, although a VITAS admissions team member will need to conduct an evaluation and coordinate with the patient's primary physician to make sure the patient meets federal hospice eligibility guidelines. 

For patients residing in an acute or post-acute facility, a physician's order is required for an evaluation and hospice order.

Referrals can be made around the clock by calling 866.41.VITAS or visiting VITAS.com/referrals. You need to supply basic patient information; a VITAS admissions clinician interviews the patient and/or family, contacts the physician and admits the patient, if eligible.

Hospice care is comfort care for patients with a prognosis of six months or less if their disease runs its natural course, as certified by a physician.

Home health services are brought to patients who require intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services or continued occupational services, as prescribed by their doctor. The patient's progress must be documented.