Often, patients and their families are referred to hospice by a physician or other medical professional (nursing home, hospital discharge planner, etc.). But in other cases, the patient and their family contacts the hospice directly to determine whether this service meet their current physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. If after learning more about hospice, you believe that you or your loved one may be eligible, here are the steps you can take to elect the hospice benefit:

• Call Toll Free at 855.542.7267
• A Harbor Hospice representative will explain the services offered, ask some health-related questions to begin the assessment eligibility, and answer any initial questions you may have.
• If the patient lives within Harbor Hospice's service area and appears to be eligible for hospice, an appointment will be scheduled for a member of the Harbor Hospice team to visit for a more thorough eligibilty review.
• If this in-person review continues to indicate eligibility, the Harbor Hospice team member will answer any of your questions and walk the patient step-by-step through the process of electing the hospice benefit. Harbor Hospice also will coordinate the hospice certification process with your physician, if necessary.
• A registered nurse will then visit the patient to conduct a physical assessment and begin to developing an individualized plan of care in conjunction with the patient, family, and the entire interdisciplinary care team. The nurse will also coordinate care with the patient's attending physician, if applicable.

To learn more about Harbor Hospice and to see whether hospice is the right answer for you or a loved one, please call toll free @ 855.542.7267.