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Questions? We're here for you.

(800) 553-4289

 

Who is eligible for hospice care?

Hospice is a special blend of medical, emotional and spiritual care for people in the last months of life—and their families.

Hospice care is for people who: 

  • have any serious illness that cannot be cured,
  • are expected to live six months or less, and
  • are seeking comfort, not a cure.

When you enroll with Agrace Hospice Care, our specially trained staff and volunteers work together with you, your family and your doctor, to help you stay comfortable and meet your life goals. The members of your  Agrace care team will visit you as often as you need, usually a few times a week. We also teach your family how they can help you between our visits.

Your Agrace care team members are part of a “circle of care” that supports you while you are receiving hospice care. You can learn about what each member of the team does for you here.

 

What does hospice cost?

Hospice care is typically paid for by Medicare or Medicaid and most health insurance plans. The payment generally covers:

  • visits from your Agrace care team,
  • medical care and medicines related to your life-limiting illness,
  • medical supplies and equipment, and
  • inpatient hospice care, if needed.

Although private health insurance coverage varies, most plans have a hospice benefit. Before you enroll with Agrace, we will verify your insurance coverage and review the hospice benefit details with you at the enrollment visit.

While you are on hospice, you don’t give up your existing health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid. Those policies will continue to cover certain health services, treatments and medicines that are medically necessary, but are not related to your terminal illness.

Self-pay: If you are not using insurance to pay for your hospice care, Agrace must provide you a “good faith” estimate of the expected cost of your care. You can learn more here.


Care for All program offers help paying

You may be able to have Agrace’s care, even if you do not have health insurance and do not qualify for Medicare. When people need hospice or palliative care but have no other way to pay for these services, Agrace can offer them help paying, through Care for All, a program funded by community donations.

Questions?

Please call us to ask about the cost of hospice, your specific coverage, or about qualifying for Care for All assistance at (800) 930-2770.

 

Where can I get care?

Most of Agrace Hospice Care’s services come to you, wherever you live. Our core service area ranges across southern Wisconsin. View a map of our service area.

 

When is it time for hospice care?

It’s never too soon to call Agrace. The #1 thing we hear is that people wish they had asked for our help sooner.

You might be ready for hospice if you have a life-limiting illness and want to:

  • get more relief from symptoms like pain, breathing difficulties, tiredness and nausea;
  • stay at home and have caregivers come to you;
  • give your family extra help caring for you;
  • have a caring “listener” to talk to about your feelings, worries and spiritual questions;
  • have emotional support for your family; or
  • feel in control of your care and have your wishes respected.

You do not need a referral from your doctor to call Agrace and ask about hospice for yourself or a loved one. We are here to answer your questions, even on weekends and holidays. If you are wondering what the enrollment visit is like, please watch this short video, which explains what you can expect.

“From the physicians, nurses and nursing assistants to your volunteers and social workers, your care and support was amazing.”

— Kathie, patient's daughter

“I can’t begin to describe how all of you helped my family to ease Mom on to her next journey. You took away all of the fear, the worry and helped us with our sorrow. ”

— Darla, patient's daughter

“My mother was able to live at home; this would not have been possible without Agrace. We were both able to feel comfortable about our decisions and the care and treatments. How fortunate we were to have your services available.”

— Ann, patient's daughter

“The caregivers who attended him were the epitome of grace and professionalism. Thanks for the reassurance, the guidance, the acceptance, the compassion—and know you will always have a special place in our hearts.”

— A.J., patient's friend

“Words can’t adequately express how much you helped us. Dad died peacefully, with big band music in the background, surrounded by his family. Your support helped ease his pain and our loss.”

— Carrie, patient's daughter

“Every one of you was so knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. A large sense of relief washed over me once she was still in our hands, but also in yours.”

— Colleen, patient's mother

“With family members there day and night, expressing their love, my father was able to express love in return. He was able to say things he wished he’d have said long ago. Healing took place.”

— Jane, patient's daughter

“The day before my mother passed away, I was privileged to pray with and cry with the Agrace spiritual & grief counselor as he celebrated her life with me. I will always treasure the comfort he brought me on the most difficult day of my life. ”

— Jim, patient's son

“We had incredible support and assistance, allowing my husband to stay home with his family nearby. I had attempted to provide his care by myself, but soon realized this was not possible. I always knew I could call Agrace and get the help I needed on a timely basis. ”

— Linda, patient's wife

“It has been a tough road for all of us, but your support gave us comfort in knowing she was in the right place, and that she was not alone. Thank you.”

— Monica, patient's sister

“You were with us at the most challenging and loving moments during our journey together. Thank you for your unbelievable care. You are in my prayers. ”

— Nora, patient's wife

“Bless the entire Agrace staff for making Mom’s final journey the very best it could be. You all go above and beyond to make things as good as they can possibly be. That is a priceless gift.”

— Pam, patient's daughter

“You came into our home with such respect, giving professional care and–most of all– loving kindness. We really appreciated that!”

— Pauline, patient's wife

 

Why choose Agrace?

Agrace is an independent, nonprofit organization with more than 45 years’ experience as an innovator in hospice and palliative care. We are here to bring relief and support, not create profits.

Same-day enrollment

When you ask for Agrace Hospice Care, we do our best to visit and enroll you that same day.

Advanced Cardiac Care Program

Through a collaboration with the American Heart Association and the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation, Agrace clinicians receive specialized training to manage the symptoms of advanced heart disease and keep patients comfortable. With Agrace Hospice Care, heart disease patients can continue treatments that control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Trust in our experience

We have brought high-quality end-of-life care to people in Wisconsin since 1978.

Doctors on call

Not all hospices have hospice & palliative board-certified doctors on staff. Agrace’s doctors and nurse practitioners care can even make house calls.

Nonprofit, community-supported

We serve people of all ages, nationalities, cultures and spiritual practices. We do not exclude people because of their race, national origin, gender, disability or immigration status.

Comfortable inpatient rooms

Patients can come to an Agrace inpatient unit for care instead of going to the hospital.

Homelike hospice residences

Our patients can pay room and board to live at Agrace’s beautiful hospice residences in Madison or Janesville—or our Hospice Memory Care Suites in Madison—while they receive care.

We Honor Veterans

Agrace is proud to be a Level 2 partner in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help improve the care veterans receive from hospice and palliative care providers.

We serve people of all ages, including pediatric patients

Caring for babies and children with life-limiting illnesses—and their family members—takes special attention and skill. Agrace works closely with pediatric patients’ families and their doctors to ensure children receive expert clinical care and support through end of life.

Nonprofit hospices provide more care*

Nonprofit hospices provide patients with 10% more nursing visits, 35% more social worker visits, and 2x as many therapy visits as for-profit hospices per patient day.
*Milliman 2019. Click the headline to read the full report.

 

How do I start hospice care?

Anyone can refer a person to Agrace for care. If you or someone you love needs our care and support, start the conversation today.

Click the link below or call (800) 930-2770. An enrollment representative will answer your questions and schedule an in-home visit for you.

Make a Referral

Call to talk to an interpreter / Tenemos intérpretes disponibles: (800) 930-2770