Referrals

Referrals to The Hospice of Baton Rouge may come from anyone, but the patient's consent and attending physician's authorization are required for admission. Patients are accepted by The Hospice of Baton Rouge without regard to race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or place of national origin.

To make a referral fill out the form below or call us at 225-767-4673.

Admission Criteria:

  • Patient has a life-limiting illness with six months or less to live
  • Patient is under the care of a primary physician
  • Patient or patient's family desires hospice services for palliative comfort care
  • Patient has elected not to continue with curative treatment
  • Patient lives in our geographical service area which is within 50 miles of our office in Baton Rouge

Benefit Eligibility

Anyone entitled to Medicare Part A and certified by his/her attending physician as being terminally ill (life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its normal course) is entitled to the benefit. Medicaid provides hospice coverage under certain conditions.

Election to the Hospice Benefit

The hospice benefit is elected by the patient and an election statement is signed and dated. Medicare patients who enroll under the Hospice Medicare Benefit still have access to Medicare coverage for unrelated medical concerns.

The patient's condition is evaluated on an ongoing basis by the hospice team. If the patient's condition has stabilized and the patient's condition is appropriate for discharge, the team will develop a discharge plan with the patient and family prior to discharge. Patients can be re-admitted to hospice when the patient meets the Federal Admission guidelines.