Hospice Definitions

Capitated Payment – agency reimbursed with one fee that covers everything related to diagnosis – caregivers, drugs, supplies, equipment.

Certification Period – patients are enrolled by certification periods of 90 days, 90 days, 60 days, ongoing. Hospice can be stopped at any certification period if patient improves.

CHAP – Community Health Accreditation Program – one of the two accrediting bodies.

Continuous Care – skilled shift care round the clock for symptom management, very short term.

DME- Durable Medical Equipment.

Inpatient – hospice care provided in hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Interdisciplinary Team – medical director, nurse, social worker, home health aide, chaplain, volunteer, music therapist, bereavement counselor all working together.

Pain Management – medication, treatment or therapies aimed at controlling and reducing pain for quality of life.

Palliative Care- care focused on comfort, quality of life and symptom management.

Residential Care – hospice care provided in a home-like environment.

Respite – designed to give the caregiver relief – maximum of five days each certification period in inpatient setting.

Routine – the daily benefit for the majority of home hospice patients

Telehealth – remote monitoring of vital signs, medication administration and activities of daily living