Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who provides Hospice care to patients?

Members of the interdisciplinary hospice team include physicians, the patient's personal physician working with our specially trained Hospice Medical Director, David Lindzey, M.D.; nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, volunteers, therapists, pharmacist, dieticians and medical equipment providers. Hospice team members provide intermittent care and expert assistance to patients, families and care-givers in the patient's home or in a homelike setting such as a nursing home.

How are patients admitted for Hospice care?

A person must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course. The patient, the family and the physician all agree that Hospice care is appropriate. The goal of care is palliative, not curative. Palliative care is designed to ease the patient's symptoms and to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

In some cases, those who do not qualify for Hospice care may qualify to receive home care services through the Scott & White Home Care Agency.

Are all hospices the same?

No. Even though all hospices specialize in care for the terminally ill, programs and services may differ among hospices. Scott & White Hospice is a not-for-profit service, part of the Scott & White medical system. It is backed by Scott & White's reputation of excellent medical care and experience for more than 100 years.

Many Scott & White Hospice patients are enrolled in some form of insurance plan that pays for hospice care.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

The following are examples of insurance plans

• Medicare has a hospice benefit that pays for 100 percent of the hospice interdisciplinary team services, durable medical equipment and all medications related to the patient's terminal illness.
• Texas Medicaid also has a hospice benefit for patients who qualify for the Texas Medicaid program.
• HMOs, PPOs and private insurance plans provide a hospice benefit in most cases.

Call Scott & White Hospice at 800-299-2033 or 254-724-4090 to verify eligibility for hospice service.

Scott & White Hospice services are available to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, handicap or source of payment.

How can I help?

• Scott & White Hospice graciously accepts charitable gifts. Read about our Memorial Giving Programs.
• Volunteers are needed in areas of patient care, specialty services, bereavement support and other areas
• Scott and White Hospice Community Thrift Store needs volunteers and goods. Funds raised through the Thrift Store help provide care for under-insured patients.

For more information about Scott & White Hospice, call 800-299-2033 or 254-724-4090.

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