Confidence in Your Choice

Hospice cares for more than 1.56 million Americans, and their families/caregivers, every year. At Hospice of Natchitoches, our goal is to promote dignity and comfort care for those facing a life limiting disease, while simultaneously supporting family and loved ones coping with end-of-life realities. Our qualified interdisciplinary team of hospice staff members are specialized in the medical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs of patients and prepared to engage with your patient to keep them patient at home with family and friends as long as possible. When referring your patients to hospice care, you deserve to have confidence in your choice.

 
 
 

Why choose Hospice of Natchitoches?

Fewer phone calls from patient/family

  • Hospice Medical Directors are available 24/7.

  • Evening shift nurses are available to see patients and handle the crisis in person

  • Information is provided on Hospice of Natchitoches website which helps to empower the patient and family and make them more confident

Consistent patient management

  • Hospice Medical Directors are available 24/7.

  • Evening shift nurses are available to see patients and handle the crisis in person

  • Information is provided on Hospice of Natchitoches website which helps to empower the patient and family and make them more confident

Weekend Support = Less Crisis

  • The Hospice team(nurses, social workers, chaplains) are available to perform admits, provide evening visits, and alleviate fears

  • The full medical support provided by Hospice of Natchitoches reduces readmits to hospital

 

Continuous Care Staffing

  • When a patient or family is in a crisis situation, Hospice of Natchitoches is equipped to place Registered nurses at bedside, around the clock

Thorough Informational Support

  • Website that helps to answers questions

  • Ongoing education and support by nurses, social workers, and chaplains which helps to alleviate fears

 

Physician FAQs

 

+ How do attending physicians bill for hospice related care?

  • Bill Medicare Part B using CPT and ICD Codes
  • Use 80% of allowable fee schedule
  • Use HCPC modifier Code GV (not employed by hospice)
  • Use HCPC modifier Code GW (if NOT related to terminal DX)


+ Can physicians still see patients and be reimbursed?

GV/GW modifier codes must be added to a Medicare hospice bill to assure payment.

Attending Physician billing for hospice related care if NOT employed by hospice

  • Bill Medicare Part B using CPT and ICD Codes
  • Use 80% of allowable fee schedule
  • Use HCPC modifier Code GV (not employed by hospice)
  • Use HCPC modifier Code GW (if related to terminal DX)
  • Use 07 code (if not related to hospice diagnosis)


+ Are face-to-face encounters required?

Beginning in 2011, face-to-face evaluations are required for all patients entering their 3rd certification period and each subsequent certification period. Hospice of Natchitoches will provide for these face-to-face evaluations.


+ How do physicians identify a potential hospice patient?

  • Terminal diagnosis with probable prognosis of 6 months or less
  • Frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits
  • Recurrent infections in last 6 months
  • Weight loss of 10% or more in last 6 months
  • Patient refuses hospitalization, aggressive treatment, or PEG tube placement
  • Home health patient in declining status


+ How should physicians talk to patients about hospice?

  • Be prepared by confirming medical facts and providing an appropriate environment.
  • Establish what the patient and family know about their condition by using open-ended questions.
  • Determine (in advance) how the patient and family want to receive information.
  • Deliver the information in a straightforward manner.
  • Respond to the emotions of the patient and family.
  • Establish goals for care and treatment possibilities when possible.
  • Formulate an overall plan with the patient.


+ How should physicians transition home health patients to hospice?

  • Physician refers Hospice of Natchitoches with order to contact the Home Health Agency for Hospice and Palliative Care Consultation.
  • Hospice of Natchitoches will educate patients and family on support options offered.
  • Hospice of Natchitoches will cooperate with the patient’s home health agency to ensure a smooth transition into hospice.
  • Board Certified Hospice and Palliative Care physicians are available for consultation 24/7.


+ How should physicians assure payment/billing?

GV/GW modifier codes must be added to a Medicare/Hospice bill to assure payment.


+ What about physician liability?

Hospice re-evaluates each patient every 60 to 90 days to determine continued eligibility for the hospice benefit.


+ What is the updated availability of medicare / medicaid hospice?

From the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

  • The Medicare program recognizes that terminal illnesses do not have predictable courses; therefore, the benefit is available for extended periods of time beyond six (6) months provided that proper certification is made at the start of each coverage period.
  • Physicians, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities are urged to recommend hospice care to beneficiaries whom they determine may benefit from it.
  • The certification of terminal illness of an individual who elects hospice shall be based on the physician’s clinical judgment regarding the normal course of the individual’s illness.

Referenced from: Quality of Life Matters, End-of-Life Care News and Clinical Findings for Physicians. Vol. 6, Issue 4, Feb/Mar/Apr 2005.


+ What do patients want?

  • A Gallup poll reveals that close to nine in ten adults (88%) would prefer to die in their homes, free of pain, surrounded by family and loved ones: Hospice works to make this happen.
  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization research shows that 94% of families who had a loved one cared for by hospice rated the care as very good to excellent.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has indicated that expanding the reach of hospice care holds enormous potential benefits for those nearing the end of life, whether they are in nursing homes, their own homes, assisted living facilities or in hospitals.
  • National Hospice Foundation research shows that the top four services Americans feel are most important for a loved one who has less than six months to live are:
    • Someone to be sure that the patient’s wishes are honored;
    • Choice among the types of services the patient can receive;
    • Pain control tailored to the patient’s wishes; and
    • Emotional support for the patient and family.


+ What does hospice require from physicians for referral?

  • Physician order to admit to hospice
  • History and physical
  • Signed certification of terminal illness which states a probable prognosis of 6 months or less if disease follows its natural course (may remain in hospice >6 months if patient continues to decline)

Physician Referral Form

Hospice of Natchitoches is committed to making it as easy as possible for our partners and referral sources to send us information. Please fill out the information in the Physician Referral Form or contact us directly at [P] 318-214-0944 [TOLL FREE] 1-877-253-0006