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Frequently Asked Questions about Palliative Care
We want to make sure you or a loved one feels completely informed about
the Metropolitan Jewish Palliative Care program and the quality care
you can expect. Your confidence in our skilled specialists should begin
early, when you want answers to your questions.
Hopefully, this section will help you with your research. If you do not
see your question below or are confused by an answer, please call us
at 1-866-958-7432 to speak with one of our helpful counselors.
Is palliative care just for certain illnesses?
No. Typically, a palliative care patient is someone suffering from a chronic
illness with little hope of a cure. Palliative care becomes an option
when the patient decides he or she would rather treat the symptoms of
his or her medical condition rather than try to cure the illness. Most
often, this kind of treatment focuses on pain management and bringing comfort
back to the patient’s life. Comfort can come in many forms, such as emotional,
spiritual and physical.
Generally, palliative care comes before hospice care. That’s because,
although the patient is suffering from a life-limiting condition, he
or she has more time to spend with family and friends.
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What if I live alone?
Living alone should never be a factor when thinking of palliative care
as an option. Metropolitan Jewish Palliative Care has provided palliative
care to many people who live alone. Our palliative care specialists will
come to your home when it is convenient for you. We work with your doctor
to design a care plan that helps you live as comfortably as possible.
Our palliative care manager then monitors your progress to make sure
you receive dignity and respect.
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What is the goal of palliative care?
The goal of our palliative care program is to provide our patients with
physical, emotional and spiritual support and comfort. Our palliative care specialists help a patient design a care plan once he or she decides
to forego further treatment for a disease and instead chooses symptom and
pain management. Once this hard decision is made, comfort and quality of
life become the primary goals of any care plan.
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How does palliative care serve my family?
Palliative care, like hospice, is also helpful for family members and friends.
Life-limiting, chronic illnesses are hard for everyone involved. In many
cases, friends and family will need instructions for proper caregiving
techniques and emotional or spiritual support. Metropolitan provides these services,
including coordinating visits by appropriate religious advisors, offering
bereavement counseling and much more.
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How do I know if my loved one is eligible for palliative care?
The best way to learn if you or a loved one are eligible for palliative
care is to call Metropolitan at 1-866-958-7432. One of our counselors will
help you determine your eligibility. You can also speak with one of our
nurses to find out if palliative care is right for you at this time.
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What’s the difference between palliative and hospice care?
Palliative care is patient-centered and emphasizes comfort, care and compassion
rather than aggressive efforts to cure an illness. Hospice is designed
for the final stages of a life-threatening illness. Palliative care can
begin sooner, giving the patient and his or her family more time to come
to terms with the situation.
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Will my health insurance cover palliative care?
Usually, most palliative care services are covered by most health insurance
plans, including our own Medicare health plan, Elderplan®.
We are aligned with a growing number of managed care companies, and we
accept many forms of traditional insurance. The patient’s
personal physician prescribes the services, which are then paid for in
part or in full by:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Managed care providers (including HMOs)
- Private insurance
- Other third-party payers
- Private payment
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Frequently Asked Questions
