Hospice Care

What is Hospice?

It's About Living

Hospice is about helping individuals and their families share the best days possible as they deal with a life-limiting illness.

It’s about adding quality of life, and helping our patients live those days as they choose. Our hospice care services provide a specialized program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life-limiting illnesses. Hospice is provided by a special team of caregivers chosen to meet the unique needs of every patient.

The Compassion, Caring and Support You Deserve

We pride ourselves in going above and beyond to deliver quality care with compassion and grace.

Our highly-trained clinicians genuinely care about their patients. Once your physician and/or healthcare provider refers you to us, we will contact you as soon as possible to facilitate care. When you begin working with us, we will be able to seamlessly coordinate any other skilled care services you may need in the home.

One Team. One Mission.

A specialized support team of dedicated caregivers

We will provide an interdisciplinary team of professionals who are chosen to meet your unique needs. This team could include the following:

  • Patient's Physician - Provide the initial referral and direction based on your continual medical care
  • Hospice Physicians - Consult with the patient’s physician to oversee specialized plan of care
  • Nurse Practitioners - Licensed clinicians who work with hospice physicians to manage patient’s care
  • Medical Directors - Review cases for appropriate admission, serve as liaison between hospice staff and other providers
  • Hospice Nurses - Provide specialized clinical care and support while teaching the family skills to assist in making the patient more comfortable
  • Nursing Assistants - Assist with activities of daily living, including personal care such as bathing and dressing
  • Volunteers - Provide companionship for the patient and offer restful intervals for caregivers
  • Social Workers - Assist in meeting patient and family needs, providing emotional support, making referrals to community resources and assisting with legal paperwork
  • Chaplains - Provide non-denominational spiritual counsel and support to patients and their families
  • Grief Counselors - Provide no-cost grief counseling programs and bereavement education to any adult who has suffered the loss of a loved one

We'll Be There When You Need Us Most

We pride ourselves in going above and beyond to deliver quality care with compassion and grace. Our highly-trained clinicians genuinely care about their patients. Once your physician and/or healthcare provider refers you to us, we will contact you as soon as possible to facilitate care. When you begin working with us, we will be able to seamlessly coordinate any other services you may need in the home.

Did You Know?

With hospice, you may live longer. It’s not unusual to feel better once the pain and symptoms of the illness are better controlled. With careful management and treatment of symptoms, overall physical and emotional well-being can sometimes quickly improve. Patients typically feel better, which sometimes can give them the internal will to live longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Making arrangements for hospice can sometimes become a overwhelming and confusing process. We can help to ease that unnecessary burden for you and your family.

How can I arrange for hospice care?

Your doctor will prescribe hospice care. From there, you can choose to work with us. Just fill out a contact form, call us at 1-800-845-5850, or find a nearby service provider. Once we're in touch we'll handle coordinating all your care and working with your doctor. 

Does my insurance cover hospice care?

Hospice is generally covered at 100% under Medicare/Medicaid. If you have a different type of insurance, contact us and we'll be able to give you more details about your coverage. 

How is hospice care provided?

Hospice is provided by a special team of caregivers chosen to meet the unique needs of you and your family.  A nurse provides care and instructions on medications, assesses symptoms, and communicates with your physician.  A social worker assesses resource needs and provides support to you and your family.  A home health aide provides personal care and some homemaker services.  A volunteer may run errands, or even just sit and read to you.  A chaplain is available for spiritual support if desired.

How much does it cost? Who pays for hospice?

Medicare, Medicaid and VA benefits pay for hospice care with no cost to you or your family.  Most private insurances companies also cover hospice services.  We provide care to all individuals who qualify for hospice regardless of their ability to pay for care.  The hospice benefit pays for items related to your hospice diagnoses such as medications, oxygen, medical supplies and equipment (i.e. hospital beds, wheelchairs and bedside commodes).

Is hospice just for people with cancer?

Hospice can serve anyone who is in the end stages of a life-limiting illness such as heart failure, lung disease, liver failure, emphysema, HIV, ALS and even Alzheimer’s  — or if there is a sudden decline in health with no specific reason.  If you are tired of taking trips to the hospital, have chosen not to pursue treatment or your doctor has exhausted all options for a cure, you may qualify for help from hospice care.

Where can hospice take care of me?

Hospice takes care of you in the comfort of your home. Hospice can also care for you in a personal care home, assisted living facility, in the hospital (under special arrangements) or in a nursing home.

 

What if I change my mind?

The decision to receive care from hospice is yours.  You have the right to discontinue hospice at any time, or change to another type of care.  You also have the right to choose the hospice agency you prefer.

Will my doctor still be my doctor?

Yes, your doctor will still be directing your care.  We also have a medical director on staff that is available for consultation.

Can I still go to the hospital?

Yes, you can return to the hospital for care, but our hospice agency will make every effort to meet your needs and keep you comfortable at home. If hospital care is still needed, Hospice will assist in making the transition as smooth as possible.

What support is offered to my loved ones?

Hospice will continue to provide support to your family through mailings and phone calls to see how they are doing.  A grief counselor is available to provide counseling and support if needed.

How can I get hospice services?

A phone call to our office from you or your family will start the process.  We will be glad to talk with you about your needs and how hospice can help.  A doctor’s order is required before services can be started.  We will be glad to call your doctor and make these arrangements for you.

What Sets Us Apart

We pride ourselves in going above and beyond to treat our patients and their loved ones with compassion and dignity. Making arrangements for specialized care can sometimes become a confusing and overwhelming process. If you have any additional questions about the services we can offer, we are just a phone call away.

Quality of Life

The philosophy of our hospice care division is to help provide individuals and their families with the genuine compassion, caring and support they deserve.

Compassionate Care

We’re not just another healthcare provider. Our compassionate staff works tirelessly around the clock to ensure our patients are comfortable and are cared for.

Holistic Approach

Hospice is universally known as a term to describe “end-of-life” care. We see it as an opportunity to help foster dignity and peace directly to patients and families.

Community Resources

We strive to improve end-of-life care within the communities we serve by providing educational resources to individuals, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Hospice Care Charity

Hospice Care Charity, Inc. is dedicated to improving quality of life for the terminally ill, their families, caregivers and friends. The purpose of this charity is to raise awareness of hospice and provide funds to enrich the lives of hospice patients in need, by helping to relieve their emotional distress and financial burden during a difficult time. The donation funds are used in the spirit in which they were donated and further our efforts to improve end of life care.

Hospice Care Charity, Inc., a foundation created by Medical Services of America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, which means contributions and donations are tax-deductible.

Mission/Purpose

  • To improve the quality of life for worthy and needy individuals with life limiting illnesses and their families who do not qualify for federal, state or insurance assistance.
  • To provide additional services that are outside of federal, state and insurance benefits to individuals who have six months or less to live. This will be accomplished by providing in-home personal care, respite, financial assistance, education and counseling.
  • To improve end-of-life care by providing educational training to individuals and health professionals in the communities we serve.
We had a hospice nurse that was absolutely great with my mother and family. The team has continued to keep in contact with us even after my mom's death which is an awesome service. THANK YOU for all this company has done for my family!
Diane F.

Hospice Care Agencies

Albemarle Home Care & Hospice

The main hub for Albemarle Home Care & Hospice is located in Elizabeth City, NC.   This agency serves several towns across Piedmont North Carolina.  As part of the MSA family, they offer home health and hospice services.  Being surrounded by family, friends and the things that make a house a home is the very essence of home care.

See hospice service providers near you

Medi Home Hospice

Based in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Medi Home Hospice is about helping an individual and their family share the best days possible as they deal with a life-limiting illness. It’s about adding quality of life, and helping you live those days as you choose.  Our hospice care services provide a specialized program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life-limiting illnesses.  This specialized program and the care you receive is coordinated by a team of professionals. 

See hospice service providers near you.

Medi Home Health & Hospice

Based in North Carolina and Virginia, Medi Home Health & Hospice is committed to caring for and educating patients, to live as independently as possible. Home health care is appropriate whenever a person is homebound, but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends.  A specialized Hospice program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life limiting illnesses is also available. The philosophy is to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with life-limiting illness.

See hospice service providers near you.

MSA Hospice

Based in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia, MSA Hospice is about helping an individual and their family share the best days possible as they deal with a life-limiting illness. It’s about adding quality of life, and helping you live those days as you choose.  Our hospice care services provide a specialized program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life-limiting illnesses.  This specialized program and the care you receive is coordinated by a team of professionals.  

See hospice service providers near you.

MSA Home Health & Hospice

Based in South Carolina and Virginia, MSA Home Health & Hospice is committed to caring for and educating patients, to live as independently as possible. Home health care is appropriate whenever a person is homebound, but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends.  A specialized Hospice program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life limiting illnesses is also available. The philosophy is to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with life-limiting illness.

See hospice service providers near you.

  • Find a MSA Service Provider Near You

    MSA Healthcare was founded in 1973 and currently offers home health, hospice, and home medical equipment across 13 states. We have offices located in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.