What to expect from palliative care
A compassionate and experienced team
Did you know?
Palliative care will not change your current team of doctors and does not replace the treatments currently being recommended.
The palliative care team members working alongside your physicians understand that making decisions about treatment options can be difficult and emotional at times. Palliative care team members are trained to offer open and detailed discussions to help you decide what is best for you, while also considering your personal beliefs and values.
"We create a care plan that puts the patient in the center, and also lays out what's most important to them to make sure that we are doing everything in line with their wishes."
Lindsey Hunt, MD
Physician, Sentara Palliative Care
When you're referred to palliative care, it’s a good time to review the following:
Common experiences early in palliative care:
- Conversations are getting more personal and detailed.
- You may need a little more time and space to process decisions about your care.
- You may want another person to attend appointments and follow-ups. This helps share the load of taking notes, asking questions and understanding information being presented.
- Caregivers need answers, too - from knowing how best to take care of their loved one to understanding the way the illness may be expected to progress.
Who pays for palliative care?
Medicare, Medicaid, many insurers and healthcare plans generally cover the medical portions like any other specialist office visit - physician, APP and LCSW services of palliative care. Veterans may be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Check with your doctor and healthcare plan to see what insurance will cover in your situation.