Hearth Hospice is the only physician founded, locally owned and operated hospice in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area. What Hospice Is And Is Not… Hospice is a philosophy of caring for those nearing the end of life. The goal of hospice is to improve the quality of life that remains by focusing on providing care for the patient and their family rather than curing the disease. Receiving hospice does not mean that death is imminent or that there is no hope. The sooner someone receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize his or her medical condition. Patients may switch out of hospice care if they have a change of heart and would like to try a new curative treatment or if their medical condition improves. For instance, a patient with cancer who goes into remission may switch out of hospice care, but may re-enter hospice care if symptoms reappear. Who Pays For Hospice… Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many other insurance providers who usually cover 100% of hospice care. Choosing hospice early allows the patient and their family to receive the maximum benefit of the services we provide. Who Qualifies For Hospice… To qualify for hospice coverage under Medicare and other insurers, a doctor must certify that the patient has a terminal illness with 6 months or less to live. It is hard for a doctor to put a specific timeline on the end of a patient's life, but if you believe that you or someone you love is ready for Hospice please contact us and we will provide a free assessment.