Also Known As:
Hospice election form, hospice consent form, hospice admission form
Type:
Legal and administrative hospice document
Primary Purpose:
The Election Form officially begins hospice care, notifying Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance that the patient is choosing hospice services. It designates the selected hospice provider and ensures coverage for hospice care. Signing the form indicates a shift in focus to comfort, symptom management, and quality of life, rather than giving up care.
When It Applies:
The Election Form is completed when a patient or family decides to start hospice care, after discussing goals, care options, and eligibility with the hospice team.
Who Is Involved:
Patient, family or legal decision-maker, hospice nurse, hospice administrative staff, and the attending physician
Where It Occurs:
Completed in the patient’s home, hospital, assisted living facility, or hospice office. Some providers also allow electronic submission.
Coverage:
Filing the Election Form ensures that hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, or the patient’s private insurance plan according to eligibility.
Key Focus:
Initiating hospice care, documenting patient choice, and ensuring insurance coverage while supporting comfort and quality of life.
Common Misunderstanding:
One thing that seems to come up a lot is that people think that signing an Election Form means giving up on medical care altogether – but that’s just not the case. The patient still gets any medical attention they need to keep them comfortable; it’s just that the focus shifts from trying to cure them to making sure their quality of life is the best it can be.
Definition
So just what is the Election Form anyway? Well, it’s the official paperwork that starts hospice care. It’s what lets the patient’s insurance provider (Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance) know that they’ve elected to use hospice services and lets them know who is going to be providing that care. But that’s not all – by filling it out, the patient is saying that they are looking to make a change in their care goals and focusing more on comfort, symptom management, and living their life to the fullest.
It’s worth noting that by starting hospice care, the patient is not giving up on seeking medical help or care – they’re just shifting their focus. They’ll still get the same level of care, with the added bonus of a focus on making the most of the time they have left.
How the Election Form Supports Patients and Families
The Election Form is a super important document because it formalises the process of entering hospice care and makes sure that everyone knows what’s going on and what’s included in the care. That’s a big deal because it means that the patient gets access to all the care they need, including nursing, aides, medications, equipment, and all sorts of emotional and spiritual support.
Families benefit because it:
- Confirms the chosen hospice provider
- Activates hospice services quickly and efficiently
- Provides clear guidance on insurance coverage and billing
- Helps the care team align all treatments with the patient’s goals
Hospice staff walk families through the form carefully, explaining each section and answering questions, making sure that patients and families feel informed and supported during the admission process.
What Happens After Signing
Once the Election Form is signed, the patient officially starts receiving hospice care and the team gets to work. This includes coming up with a care plan that fits the patient’s needs and goals, setting up visits with the care team, and providing ongoing education and support to the family. It’s a pretty smooth process, and one that is designed to make sure the patient gets the care they need when they need it.