Hospice is a service provided by a team of skilled professionals to support the needs of patients and families facing a life-limiting illness.
Discover How Hospice Care Reaches Those Who Need It Most
Learn how our compassionate network of hospice experts supports individuals and families – offering comfort, respect and care without limitations.
Common Questions About Hospice Care
Although most hospice patients live in their own homes or the homes of a loved one, hospice care can be provided wherever an individual lives.
Hospice services are available at any age to individuals with a life-limiting illness.
Members of the NorthStar Care Community support eligible patients regardless of their diagnosis.
Hospice care is for anyone in the advanced stages of illness, when life expectancy is six months or less. The hospice team can do much more to help maintain the best quality of life for the patient and family when hospice services begin sooner rather than later.
If the patient’s doctor and our medical director determine they are still hospice eligible, a patient may receive services longer than six months.
We provide hospice care based on need, not the ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance cover hospice services. As a community-based nonprofit, we rely on donations to ensure care is available to anyone who needs it.
Hospice vs. Palliative Care Explained
A side-by-side comparison for patients and caregivers
Hospice Care
Life expectancy less than six months
All diagnoses
Palliative Care
Life expectancy more than six months
Any diagnosis with need for symptom management, goal clarification or connection to community resources
Hospice Care
No
Palliative Care
Yes
Hospice Care
Doctors
Nurse practitioners
Nurses
Personal care aides
Clinical social workers
Chaplains
Trained volunteers
Palliative Care
Specially trained nurse practitioner
Clinical social worker, if needed
Hospice Care
Home visits from once every two weeks to multiple visits each week
24/7 phone support and visits when needed
Palliative Care
Varies based on acuity, but typically on a monthly basis
24/7 phone support for urgent needs and any questions
Hospice Care
Medicare
Medicaid
Private insurance plans
Self-pay
Palliative Care
All insurance plans will be billed
Take the time to explore your options—finding the right hospice provider can make all the difference for you and your loved ones.
