Hospice Care FAQs

Hospice care focuses on medical and personal comfort for people living with an illness that is no longer responding to curative treatments. Patients choose hospice when it becomes clear that a cure is no longer likely, and they want comfort care so they can live as fully as possible until the end of life. Hospice care helps patients with physical symptoms like pain or nausea. Hospice staff members also comfort patients, families and friends by helping them feel emotionally and spiritually at peace. They work together with patients and families to bring dignity and well-being to anyone affected by illness and loss.

Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice works with patients to understand their goals and objectives for this time in their lives. Members of the hospice team focus on what is important to the patient, which helps us customize our care to the needs of our patients and their families. We provide a range of services and care beyond what is standard under hospice regulations.

As a community based non-profit organization serving residents of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, our commitment to the community is to care for all hospice-eligible patients, regardless of their ability to pay. In general, Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances cover the cost of hospice services. Many hospice patients use the Medicare Hospice Benefit to pay for their care, and coverage by Medicaid and most private insurance is similar to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice covers the costs of qualified patients needing care who have no insurance.

Now.

Call Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice anytime to learn about hospice care and get more information – 301-921-4400. We provide information visits free of any cost. Anyone can refer a patient for hospice care, including a doctor, family member or the person who is ill.

Montgomery Hospice, Inc. dba Montgomery Hospice & Prince George’s Hospice is accredited by Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP). Community Health Accreditation Partners inspects Montgomery Hospice & Prince George’s Hospice for compliance with Medicare regulations, as well as their own rigorous standards, at least every three years.

There are numerous illnesses/conditions that can be life-limiting to children, such as: cancer, severe genetic disorders, end stage diseases of an organ system (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, etc.), neurological degenerative diseases (Battens Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, etc.), or conditions from traumatic injury. Any such disease or condition may be appropriate for care.

A referral to the Montgomery Kids Team should be initiated when your child has a life-limiting illness and the physician has determined the need for additional support in comfort care, symptom management, and pain control. This early intervention will enhance your child’s comfort, as well as to provide spiritual and emotional support to your child and family.

Yes, your child can continue to be treated as before, with the addition of the expertise of the MKids team to assist with pain and symptom control, and psychosocial and spiritual needs. The medical professionals will work together to provide concurrent care, as determined by the patient and family’s goals.

Yes, MKids team encourages the child and family to continue activities (school, vacations, etc.) to promote quality of life.

A primary difference between pediatric hospice care and general hospice care is that curative treatments usually stop when an adult patient enters general hospice care. With pediatric care, curative treatments can continue alongside hospice services.

No, it is not necessary to have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order) in place to be in our care.

Call us at 301-921-4400. An order from your child’s physician is required, and we can help coordinate that call for you.

Medicaid and many insurance companies will pay for hospice and palliative care. We do not turn away ANYONE due to payment limitations.