Frequently Asked Questions

About Haven Hospice

When you or a loved one is faced with a life-limiting illness it is stressful, scary, uncertain—even devastating. Our services focus on maximizing quality of life by actively and aggressively managing pain and other physical symptoms while simultaneously providing emotional and spiritual care for you and your loved ones.

As one of the first organizations in the country to provide this kind of care, we have been working with residents of north Florida for more than 27 years—giving us significantly greater experience than other local organizations. In doing this work, we most frequently encounter the following questions:

1. “What exactly can Haven Hospice do for me?”

Our organization is focused on collaborating with your physician to:

a. Keep you in control of your situation – making the decisions about what kind of care you want, from whom and where

b. Actively and aggressively manage your pain and other symptoms – physical, emotional and spiritual

c. Help create an environment in which you can stay at home through your illness or to help find an environment that is most appropriate for your needs

d. If and when appropriate, help you with activities of daily living

e. Help your family and loved ones deal with the situation; learning how best to care for you, understanding pertinent financial issues, and assuring adequate emotional and spiritual support for them

f. Assure you have all of the medications, medical supplies and home medical equipment you need to be comfortable

2. “Hospice—isn’t that for when you’re days away from death? I am not ready for that.”

Among the many thousands of members of the community that we have worked with, the most common “wish” they voice to us is that they had accessed our program and services sooner.

Our services are designed to provide care for a period of 6-12 months. The longer we work together, the more we can do for you and your family.

If you choose our services, you can change your mind at anytime.

Our primary purpose is to help you maximize the quality of your life. We focus on keeping you comfortable, always respecting and honoring that you are and should be in charge of your care. We will always support your choices.

3. “How does Haven Hospice work with me—who do I see?”

Haven Hospice uses a team of dedicated and specially trained professionals to work with you and your family. The team is comprised of:

a. Nurse

b. Home Health Aide

c. Chaplain

d. Social Worker

e. Physician

Volunteers: the Haven Hospice health-care professional team is complemented by a loyal group of over 1,000 volunteers—many of whom are available to visit with you, to read to you, or simply provide companionship

The Haven Hospice team is also assisted by our pharmacists and other therapists.

Team members, at your discretion and meeting your needs and schedule, will visit with you at home, talk to you on the phone, keep in touch with your family—be there for you.

4. “Who pays for this?”

Medicare: Haven Hospice accepts Medicare as 100% payment for its services, with no copayments or out of pocket expenses for you or your family

Medicaid: In almost every case, Haven Hospice accepts Medicaid as 100% payment for its services. We can evaluate your particular situation.

Private Insurance: While most private insurance companies have a hospice benefit similar to the Medicare Hospice Benefit, we can consult with your particular insurance company to verify exactly what type of coverage you have

NO ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY MEMBER IS TURNED AWAY: As a community based not-for-profit agency, we NEVER turn away an eligible hospice patient.

5. “What exactly is paid for—are there things I’ll still need to pay for?”

In almost every case, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance coverage includes:

a. All contacts and visits from the team and any HNCF employee

b. All of the home medical equipment and medical supplies needed to comfortably manage your illness

c. All of the prescription and over the counter drugs needed to comfortably manage your illness

6. “What if it is too difficult for me to stay at home?”

Haven Hospice offers a special service called Crisis Care that is designed for situations of short-term severity where round the clock care is needed at home. If, however, this level of care is needed for more than a few days, we work with virtually every long-term care facility and assisted living community in the area and can arrange a placement while providing you continuous care.

In addition, we are nationally known for our inpatient Care Centers—facilities solely designed and dedicated to caring for community members with life-limiting illnesses. These facilities are intended for short stays when Crisis Care may not be optimal.

7. “I’ve heard that organizations like yours hasten death with medications.”

Haven Hospice does not believe in, does not endorse and does not participate in hastening death or any form of assisted suicide. Our organization helps celebrate life for every moment possible.

8. “How do I start getting services from Haven Hospice?”

a. Simply contact us: You can call us directly or your physician or another health care professional can call us. We will quickly arrange a visit with you, usually within two hours of your calling us, at your home or place of residence or wherever is convenient for you. We are happy to meet with you and your family together or if it is more convenient for you we can meet with your family whenever and wherever appropriate (including over the phone if they are out of the area)

You can reach us at. 800-727-1889

b. Initiating service: When you decide that you wish to commence receiving our services, we need to get your permission to gain access to your medical records and to speak with your physician about your situation.

9. “What if I change my mind?”

You are in charge.

At any time you may decide to stop receiving our services. We will continue to work with you to help you decide what is best for you and we are always available should you wish to resume receiving care from us.

10. “What if I need help in the middle of the night?”

Whenever you call us, anytime of day or night, you will immediately be in touch with one of our employees who has information about you and your condition. They are able to either speak with you on the phone to help resolve the issue or they can send one of our health care professionals to your home.

11. “Do you provide state-of-the-art treatments?”

Our organization has five full time physicians, six part time physicians and two full time pharmacists that stay abreast of the latest treatments to best manage symptoms and pain in situations like yours. We are able to provide up to date, cutting edge interventions to make certain you are receiving whatever therapy might help your situation.

More About Haven Hospice

Haven Hospice’s unique history of serving the end-of-life care needs of north central Florida residents and health care professionals began in 1979.

Since that time, Haven Hospice has:

• Served more than 25,000 patients and families
• Worked with 75 long-term care facilities
• Worked with 60 assisted living facilities

In addition, as a community agency whose mission extends beyond what is required by the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Haven Hospice service promise to the community includes the provision of additional, much needed services like:

The Haven Hospice Transitions—Community Outreach Program

A community outreach program providing support, education and community referrals for individuals and families dealing with chronic illness—before they are eligible for or wish to use Haven Hospice.

Transitions—Educational programming addresses nutrition, how to maintain independence, tips for caregivers and if appropriate how to get financial assistance for drugs.

The Haven Hospice Healing Hearts Program

This array of programming provides ongoing grief counseling and support to individuals, families, groups and professionals in our community faced with loss. Examples of specific support groups include “Remembering Mom”—for daughters, “Loss Of A Mate”— for spouses, and “Remembering Your Baby”—for parents.

These programs are available to any member of the community, whether they have used other Haven Hospice services or not.

The Haven Hospice Pegasus Program

This pediatric program provides emotional and spiritual care to children, their families and other community members that are experiencing terminal illness and loss.

The Haven Hospice Advance Care Planning Program