Open Access
Open Access
Open Access is a hospice program that allows patients currently receiving medical treatments and/or experiencing intense psychosocial issues access to hospice services earlier; a blended model between curative and palliative care.
Who is eligible?
- Patients with a terminal illness who have a 6 month prognosis
- Patients who continue to receive medical treatments such as:
- IV antibiotics
- IV nutrition and IV heart medications
- Ventilator support
- Cardiac drips
- Chest tubes
- Hemo/peritoneal dialysis for hospice diagnosis
- Palliative radiation
- Biological response modifiers i.e., Procrit®, Neupogen®, Epogen®
- Patients who need additional time to complete the discharge planning from the acute care setting
- Patients with complex psychosocial needs who have not:
- Made long-term care plans
- Engaged in thorough acute care discharge planning
- Been able to arrange care giving
- Applied for Medicaid or have other financial needs
Benefits of Open Access Hospice
- Increases time for patients and families to engage in advance care planning and process issues related to the advanced illness while utilizing services.
- Allows patients to receive hospice level services earlier, providing them with more assistance in care planning needs.
- Supports strong collaborative relationships with the referral source during difficult communications with patients and families.
- Starts supportive care or hospice while patients are making the transition from curative to palliative care.
- Helps patients and families understand futile care and allows them to request discontinuation of measures (Benefit vs. Burden).
- Reduces length of stay in an acute care setting.
When to refer a patient
When patients are carrying the above-mentioned interventions but with a terminal prognosis. Each patient is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Who pays for Open Access?
Open Access is covered under the Medicare hospice benefit. Coverage under a managed care contract is negotiated on a case-by-case basis.