To help patients and families feel more confident, Medicare provides a checklist of suggested questions to help families navigate how to choose a hospice. The questions are designed to guide conversations with your local hospice providers and align what matters most at the end of life with their services.
We’ve turned Medicare’s list into an easy‑to‑navigate series of questions to help you understand not only what to ask, but why it matters.
What is hospice care, and who is it for?
Hospice care provides comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those with serious illness who are moving from treatment to supportive care. Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that supports not only the patient, but also their family and caregivers.
Hospice is a service, not a place. These services are available to any person, of any age, who has been told they have six months or less to live.
Does the hospice accept my insurance, including Medicare?
Why this matters: Most hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurers. However, coverage details can vary. As a nonprofit, community‑focused hospice, we accept all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Fewer than 0.5% of our patients ever receive a bill. Thanks to generous philanthropy from the community, we’re able to extend our clinical excellence beyond traditional care.
Questions to ask:
- Does the hospice accept my insurance?
- What services, medications, and equipment are covered?
- Are there any costs we should expect to pay out of pocket?
How experienced is the hospice organization?
Why this matters: Experience and certification can affect care coordination, symptom management, and responsiveness. Hospice of the Piedmont has over 45 years of trusted service in Central Virginia. We are chosen by families in areas we serve more than any other hospice provider. We maintain our ACHC accreditation, demonstrating our adherence to state and federal regulations.
Questions to ask:
- How long has the hospice been serving patients?
- How many patients does the hospice typically serve?
- Is the hospice Medicare-certified?
Where will hospice care be provided?
Why this matters: Hospice care is flexible and can often be provided wherever the patient calls home. Hospice of the Piedmont maintains the largest percentage of at-home patient census in the area. We are the only hospice in the area with a home-like facility providing 24/7 care for patients without caregivers or whose families cannot provide home care. We honor your wishes, wherever you call home, and work to coordinate all necessary equipment for comfort and care.
Questions to ask:
- Is care provided at home, in a nursing facility, or in a hospice inpatient unit?
- If symptoms can’t be managed at home, what options are available?
- Will the hospice provide equipment like hospital beds or oxygen?
Who will be part of the hospice care team?
Why this matters: Hospice care is delivered by a team, not just one provider. Hospice of the Piedmont provides a dedicated, interdisciplinary team to serve the patient and their loved ones in body, mind, and spirit. Because we are nonprofit, we are able to maintain a higher nurse and social worker visit frequency.
Questions to ask:
- Will I have a consistent nurse?
- How often will members of the care team visit?
- How many patients are assigned to each nurse?
- What other professionals (social workers, chaplains, aides) will be involved?
Is help available after hours or in an emergency?
Why this matters: Symptoms and concerns don’t follow a schedule. Hospice of the Piedmont is the only hospice in the area with full-time physicians board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine, making house calls and available by phone 24/7. Our Nights, Evenings and Weekends Team is trained to provide the same level of care no matter the time of day. Medicare emphasizes 24/7 access to hospice support as a core expectation of quality care.
Questions to ask:
- Is support available nights, weekends, and holidays?
- When I call with an urgent need, how quickly will someone respond?
- Will a nurse come to the home if needed?
How will pain and other symptoms be managed?
Why this matters: Comfort is a central goal of hospice care. We work closely with patients and their families to adjust care as needs change. In fact, we are rated highest in caregiver training. Hospice of the Piedmont invests in ensuring caregivers feel confident and supported, helping prevent delays in symptom management.
Questions to ask:
- How does the hospice manage pain and other symptoms?
- Can I continue taking my current medications?
- What happens if symptoms become difficult to control?
Will my family be involved in care decisions?
Why this matters: Hospice care is centered on the patient’s goals and values. We’re here to give you and your family the power to decide how you’d like to live in the months before you die.
Questions to ask:
- How will the hospice keep us informed?
- Will we be included in care planning and decisions?
- Can I continue seeing my regular doctor, and how will care be coordinated?
What support is available for caregivers and family members?
Why this matters: Hospice supports the whole family—not just the patient. Thanks to generous community support, Hospice of the Piedmont provides many programs and services that go beyond traditional care. Some of these include: children’s and adult grief support, music therapy bedside, end-of-life doula services, and veteran services.
Questions to ask:
- What emotional or spiritual support is available?
- Are respite services offered if caregivers need a break?
- How does the hospice support families through grief and bereavement?
Where can I find the Medicare suggested questions checklist?
You can Download Medicare’s Suggested Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospice checklist directly from Medicare’s website. Bringing this checklist to conversations with hospice providers can help ensure you’re asking the right questions and comparing options confidently.
Hospice of the Piedmont is Here to Help
Choosing a hospice is about more than services—it’s about trust, communication, and compassionate support during a deeply personal time. Medicare’s checklist is a valuable starting point, and the right hospice will welcome these questions and take the time to answer them thoughtfully. If you are ready to start the conversation, we’re here for you.
