A phone call to Beacon Hospice at (903) 553-0035 is all that you need to do to start the admission process.
One of the first things we will do is contact the patient's physician to make sure the physician agrees that hospice care is appropriate for the patient. One of our registered nurses will then visit the prospective patient and family to ask important questions about the illness and previous treatment, as well as questions about the home and family situation that would affect care giving.
The nurse will explain what the patient and family can expect from the hospice, how hospice provides care, the services that are available and information on the illness or condition that will help prepare the family for the coming days. Medicare and/or other available benefits also will be discussed at that time.
11. Can I keep my own doctor?
Yes. Your doctor will continue as your primary physician and will approve your admission to hospice care, delivery of services to you and changes in your Plan of Care. The hospice team members will work closely with your doctor in administering and providing your care.
However, you and your doctor may also elect to have our Medical Director assume primary responsibility for your hospice care, since Hospice Medical Directors have extensive experience and expertise in the full spectrum of hospice and palliative care. In this case, your primary physician will continue to provide non-hospice related services to you and will be able to continue billing Medicare for the non-hospice related services he provides.
