Hospice and Palliative Care Eligibility Guidelines

Does your patient need hospice or palliative care? Patients are eligible for hospice care when a physician makes a clinical determination that life expectancy is six months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course.

Hospice Eligibility Guidelines

These general and diagnosis-specific guidelines will help you determine if your patient is eligible for hospice. The guidelines are provided as a convenient tool and are not meant to take the place of a physician's professional judgment.

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Palliative Care Guidelines

Palliative care provides patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. Here are some of the guidelines to determine if your patient could benefit from palliative care.

A couple talks with their physician in an office

Person holds smartphone showing the VITAS app

Ready for Referral?

Refer your hospice-eligible patient easily. The VITAS app features:

HIPAA-compliant hospice referrals
Interactive scale to determine eligibility
Disease-specific guidelines

Available for Android and iOS devices.

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Testimonials from Patients' Families

“I’m extremely indebted to VITAS for everything that has been given to us and to our family. They showed my mom the love she deserved and the care she deserved.”
- Danielle V., Illinois

“VITAS stepped in as my husband’s Alzheimer’s was getting hard for me. Right away, he loved his ‘helpers,’ and I loved the way everyone was so friendly—felt like I’d known them forever.”
- Daryl F., Florida

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