When someone you love is referred to Hospice, it is am emotional and distressing time. It can be a time of mixed feelings and many questions. Most families are not familiar with Hospice. Here are some questions we are frequently asked.

FAQs - Zia Hospice


  • What Is Hospice Care?
    Hospice is care for the dying. At Zia Hospice, our primary purpose is to work with the terminally ill and their families to help them make the most of their time left. Hospice goal is to make the dying process more comfortable, less frightening and more bearable in every way. Hospice is an individualized concept of care. Hospice does not offer a cure or recovery, but when the disease con no longer be defeated, Hospice proposes to make the most difficult time of your life as easy as possible.
  • How Does Hospice Work?
    Hospice works as a team. The Zia team consists of the patient, the family, their physician, the hospice medical director, nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, pastoral care counselors and volunteers. The team develops a plan of care that addresses individual physical, spiritual and emotional needs. The hospice professionals at Zia are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, to ensure the patient and family receive the care and support that they need.
  • Who Is Eligible For Hospice Care?
    Many persons are eligible to receive Hospice Care.
    Hospice is NOT limited to cancer patients. Any person who is suffering from a life-limiting condition doe to illness, accident or aging can receive Hospice Care.

    To determine eligibility, the hospice team will evaluate the patient using criteria based on guidelines from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

    Eligibility requires:
    The patient and family choose Hospice Care – comfort and treatment of symptoms rather that curative treatment. The patients physician and Hospice Medical Director use their best judgment to certify that the patient is terminally ill and if the disease process runs its normal course, the patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less. The patient and family enroll in a Medicare approved Hospice Program.
  • How Is Hospice Care Paid?
    Hospice is an earned benefit. Medicare Part A, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans pay for Hospice Care. At Zia Hospice, there are no out of pocket expenses to the patient and family. Because Hospice Care is a Medicare benefit, all patients, regardless of their health plan, may choose ANY hospice they wish. Patients are not obligated to choose the Hospice program owned by their health plan.
  • What to ask when choosing a Hospice Program…..
    What are the benefits of placing my loved on in hospice care?
    Is ther a cost to the patient or family for hospice benefits?
    How frequently will hospice care be provided?
    Do I have to change doctors?
    Can hospice provide services for my loved one in a nursing facility?
    What services are available after hours…Nursing? Administration? Support? What will hospice pay for? (medications, durable medical equipment, nursing services)
    Are pastoral and spiritual counseling services available?
    Is hospice support available for the entire family?...Is there support after death?
    If we are not satisfied with the hospice care provided, can we change to another hospice? If we are not satisfied who do we speak to?
  • How can you find out about Hospice Care?
    To find out more about Hospice care contact Zia Hospice at 505-830-2978. Our team of professional staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We can provide you with eligibility requirements, how to access care and resources to assist in choosing a hospice program. We at Zia Hospice encourage you to interview several hospice programs before making a decision.