My dad was just bounced off hospice today because he's not dying fast enough. They didn't even talk to us before they decided he's not declining, but he is declining. It makes no sense.
@marylia
They may have rules about what kinds of treatments he can still get. Different hospice organizations have different rules though, so it's worth checking another. For instance, policies on things like chemotherapy and dialysis vary.
@AlphaCentauri We are going to try to contact another organization. It's all so stressful anyway. We figure the care was getting harder and eating into their profits.
@marylia
Yeah, they get paid a flat rate per day, and all care comes out of that, which is why they have set policies. Generally they prefer longer-duration patients, though. They get too many who are never offered hospice until they are within a day or two of death and can't really benefit from any programs.
@marylia
They are allowed to re-certify someone. They don't get kicked off just because they aren't dead. We had someone recertified three times, because once they stopped putting her in the hospital and gave her extra care at home to make sure she got her medicines, she did great. Finally came off hospice when her pacemaker needed new batteries.
@AlphaCentauri It's only been two months - late stage Parkinson's. He really needs the care.