Hospice

Mary Lanning Healthcare is pleased to announce we have partnered with AseraCare, Tabitha and Good Samaritan Hospice to provide care for our patients in the hospital. These agencies have specially trained staff to help patients and families during this difficult time.

Patient criteria for in-hospital hospice care

• Patients who are on end-of-life care/comfort measures.
• Patients for whom designated hospice placement is delayed.
• The patient’s prognosis is fewer than two weeks and he or she is unstable for transport.

Process for end-of-life care in the hospital

• An MLH Hospitalist will discharge the patient and readmit him or her as a hospice patient.
• This transition of care will be coordinated to occur simultaneously.
• The MLH palliative care provider and/or hospitalist provider will collaborate with the medical director and/or hospice RN from the chosend hospice company to implement a plan of care. MLH staff will provide the direct patient care, and the hospitalists no longer need to round on these patients.
• Patients will receive care on the MLH Medical-Surgical-Oncology Unit (Sixth Floor) whenever possible. If there is no availability in this area, the patient will stay on his or her current care floor.

If you have questions, please contact:

• Laurie Stevens, MSN BSN RN, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, 402-463-4521
• Ashley Pavelka-Smidt, DNP APRN FNP-C PCNP, Palliative Medicine Provider, 402-461-5263

Types of hospice care

In the home

• Care is provided by family members.
• A hospice nurse typically visits for 30-60 minutes. The frequency varies and may not occur every day.
• Families have a choice of local hospice agencies.
• Medicare covers costs related to the hospice team, medications related to diagnosis, equipment and supplies.

In a skilled nursing facility

• The facility staff provides 24-hour care.
• Families have a choice of local hospice agencies.
• Medicare covers costs related to the hospice team, medications related to diagnosis, equipment and supplies.
• Medicare does not cover room and board. Check with the facility for daily rates. Most require upfront payment prior to admission.

At Mary Lanning Healthcare

• The staff provides 24-hour care.
• MLH partners with AseraCare, Tabitha and Good Samaritan Hospice to provide care for patients in the hospital.
• Medicare covers costs related to the hospice team, medications related to diagnosis, equipment and supplies.
• Medicare does not cover room and board. The daily rate is $350.
• Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Once the patient no longer requires acute medical care, MLH will transition him or her to home, a residential hospice, a skilled nursing facility on hospice care or the patient can stay at MLH as a hospice patient with AseraCare, Tabitha or Good Samaritan Hospice.

The cost to stay at MLH when not on hospice is about $2,230 per day. The cost of room and board for a hospice patient at MLH is $350 per day. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. If needed, a financial counselor can answer your questions at 402-461-5241.

If the patient remains at MLH as an inpatient no longer requiring acute medical care, you will be asked to sign an insurance denial form indicating the patient is responsible for costs that insurance does not cover.