Also Known As:
Admission process, hospice intake process, referral intake
Type:
Initial care coordination and information-gathering process
Primary Purpose:
Begin the hospice care process by collecting patient information, answering questions, and coordinating the next steps toward admission
When It Applies:
At the very start of hospice care, when a referral is made by a family member, physician, hospital, or facility
Who Is Involved:
Hospice intake coordinator, patient (when appropriate), family members, referring physician or facility staff, and the hospice care team
Where It Occurs:
By phone, virtually, or through coordination between healthcare facilities and the hospice provider
Visit Frequency:
Intake is typically a one-time process, followed by additional coordination and follow-up as needed to complete admission
Coverage:
No direct cost for the intake process; covered as part of hospice services under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans
Key Focus:
Gathering patient information, understanding care needs, answering questions, verifying eligibility, and coordinating admission into hospice care
Common Misunderstanding:
Intake is not immediate medical care—it is the first step in the process that helps determine eligibility and organize the transition into hospice services
What Is Hospice Intake?
Hospice intake is basically the start of the hospice care journey. We need to gather some crucial info about the patient – their condition, medical history, and what kind of care they’re going to need – so we can get them all set up and working with the hospice team. This is also a great chance for families to get some answers and get a sense of what to expect down the line.
How Does the Intake Process Work?
It usually starts with a call from someone – a family member, a doc, a hospital, or a care facility – and we get the ball rolling from there. During that call, our hospice intake coordinator just needs to get some basic details from the family about the patient and what’s going on.
From there, we review the info, answer any questions they’ve got, and figure out the next steps. That may involve checking whether the patient is eligible, scheduling a nurse visit, and getting everything cleared for hospice care.
What Happens During Intake?
During intake, the hospice team focuses on understanding the patient’s needs and guiding families through the initial steps.
This may include:
- Collecting patient and medical information
- Discussing current symptoms and care needs
- Answering questions about hospice services
- Verifying insurance or coverage eligibility
- Coordinating next steps for admission and evaluation
The process is designed to be simple, supportive, and informative for families.
How Does Intake Support Families?
Intake helps families begin the hospice journey with clarity and guidance. It provides a direct connection to the hospice team and ensures that families are not navigating the process alone.
Families benefit by receiving:
- Immediate answers to questions about hospice care
- Clear guidance on what to do next
- Support in understanding eligibility and services
- A smooth transition into the hospice admission process
Intake is available 24/7, ensuring families can reach out whenever they are ready to begin the conversation.