Questions about our Program
What is the Hospice of Saint John nurse patient ratio?
A: There are significantly higher team ratios for acute symptoms management requiring skilled nursing interventions (pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, etc). A nurse is always available to address patient and family concerns.
What is the hospice philosophy regarding use of an IV or feeding tube?
A: Care will be as natural as possible. We will use any method approved by the Interdisciplinary Team to keep a patient comfortable.
How much will I have to pay for the hospice care?
A: Please ask to see a patient accounts staff member. They will work with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and you to find ways to pay for hospice. Most questions can be addressed at time of admission into our program.
Are the doctor’s services included in the cost of hospice?
A: If you have a primary care physician, they will bill the insurance company separately. Ask your insurance company for more details. If you are under the care of our doctors, their services are included in the hospice charges. You should not be billed for doctor’s charges.
Does hospice use medicines to sedate people?
A: We want our patients to be as alert as possible. Some of the pain medications we use may cause drowsiness, however we will work hard to find the right balance of medicines. If we can control the symptoms, our patients can do the important work of saying good-bye to their families and preparing for death.
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