Oklahoma Hospice Resources and Information

Posted on Monday May 7, 2018 in Caregiving Tips

oklahoma hospice resources

If you’re in Oklahoma and exploring hospice care for a family member or loved one, you should be ready to explore a range of options as you go through the process. Read more below to learn about Oklahoma hospice resources and information.

The First Step: Understanding Medicare

Knowing what hospice services are included under Medicare hospice coverage is a good first step. For Medicare patients who meet hospice eligibility requirements, the federal government generally pays up to 100% of costs for hospice staff, medications relating to pain and comfort management, and medical supplies for patients.

Note: Medicare rules apply to every state, not just patients in Oklahoma.

“Original Medicare” (Part A and Part B) is the federal health insurance program for individuals 65 years of age and older, and younger residents with certain disabilities or conditions.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care provided in a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or hospice setting. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor visits, durable medical equipment, ambulance transport and preventive services.

Hospice Eligibility

The Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care website provides an easy-to-understand overview of the hospice eligibility requirements that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have created to determine if a patient’s condition is or will soon be appropriate for hospice care.

This site provides insights into the types of patient conditions that can serve as the basis for a hospice referral, as well as disease-specific requirements, and financial requirements relating to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance criteria for hospice care.

Finding a Hospice

There are a number of Oklahoma hospice resources available. On the Crossroads website, we’ve posted some helpful information about what prospective hospice patients or families should consider when choosing a hospice provider in Oklahoma, as well as our range of services and locations. There is also additional information available online about unique programs we offer, such as Grief Recovery, Gift of a Day, and programs for Veterans.

Another source worth checking into is a website sponsored by Hospice Analytics, Inc., an information-sharing research organization whose mission is to improve hospice utilization and access to quality end-of-life care through analysis of Medicare and other national datasets. Hospice Analytics maintains a list of 100 or so Oklahoma hospices across the state. The site also allows users to select among various criteria such as range of services provided, size, accreditation, and other considerations.

Laquietta Collins, RN, who serves as hospital liaison for Crossroads’ Oklahoma City office, and is co-chair of programs with the Oklahoma City Hospitals and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), notes that Oklahoma’s Nursing Times also maintains an online hospice directory that visitors can readily access.

Some additional OK hospice resources with information that can be useful in making decisions about hospice care include The Hospice Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc., The Oklahoma Association for Home Care & Hospice, The Oklahoma Palliative Care Resource Center, and Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing consumers in Oklahoma and elsewhere need to remember when they start looking for a hospice provider is that they truly need to do their research. Online reviews may provide some limited guidance, but they should not be the only determining factor. With so much information available on the internet, try checking out the website of each prospective hospice provider, its Facebook page, and look for recent news stories. Examining the level and frequency of their online activity, as well as evaluating what people are saying about them could be good indicators as to the level and quality of care they provide.

Finally, consider seeking advice and/or additional Oklahoma hospice information from informed healthcare professionals. Having reliable information is essential – especially for hospice patients and families facing such an important and emotional decision.