When to Refer

If you believe that a patient with an advanced, progressive illness is likely to die within a year, hospice may be an excellent option.

To begin hospice care, a referring physician and the Montgomery Hospice Medical Director must agree that a patient has a:

• Terminal diagnosis
• Prognosis up to six months, assuming the disease runs its normal course (Six-month prognoses can be renewed, leading to hospice stays lasting longer than six months.)

CMS urges early referrals of terminally ill patients for hospice care, noting:

• Prognoses do not have to be certain, as some end-stage conditions have unpredictable courses
• Patients may initially improve in hospice
• Patients may be in hospice longer than six months

Patients are eligible for care at Casey House when their comfort needs cannot be met safely and therapeutically at home.