Can I Leave Hospice Care? Understanding Your Options and Next Steps

If you’re wondering, yes, you can leave hospice care whenever you choose. Hospice is here to support you and your loved ones, but you always get to decide whether to continue or stop care. It’s your call, based on your needs and wishes.

Leaving hospice doesn’t mean you lose all support. You may want to try something different, or might just need a break. Either way, the team at Devotion Hospice wants to help you figure out what comes next. Knowing your options can help you feel a bit more in control during a tough time.

Our focus is on caring for the whole person and their family, always with respect and compassion. If you’re curious about what leaving hospice looks like or when to reach out again, keep reading for some guidance.

Understanding Hospice Care

Hospice care is all about comfort and support when a serious illness limits life expectancy. It helps manage symptoms and offers emotional, social, and spiritual support for you and your loved ones. There are some rules about who qualifies and what hospice is meant to do.

What Hospice Care Involves

Hospice care helps with pain and symptoms, aiming to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible. A team—nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains—works together to support the whole person, not just the illness. They’re there for family members too, offering counseling and practical guidance.

Care usually happens at home, but sometimes it takes place in a hospice center, hospital, or nursing facility. The team is on call 24/7 for emergencies or questions. We include emotional support, help with daily activities, and do our best to honor your loved one’s wishes.

Eligibility for Hospice Care

You can enter hospice when a doctor believes your loved one likely has six months or less to live if the illness follows its usual path. The person also needs to choose comfort care, not aggressive treatments aimed at curing the illness.

Hospice care is open to people of any age and diagnosis. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans usually cover it. If you or your loved one wants to try something else, you can leave hospice at any time. Our team does its best to make transitions smooth and respectful.

The Purpose of Hospice

Hospice care’s main goal is to improve quality of life in the time that remains. It focuses on easing pain and symptoms so your loved one can spend meaningful time with family and friends. The emphasis is on peace, comfort, and emotional support—not curing the illness.

Families get support too, with education, counseling, and spiritual care. Hospice aims to honor your loved one’s values and choices, making each moment matter. It’s built around kindness and respect, helping you and your family through some of life’s hardest days.

Can I Leave Hospice Care?

You’ve got choices with hospice care. Whether you want to stop care, change your mind, or just take a break, it helps to know how it all works. Understanding your options makes it easier to do what’s best for you and your loved one.

Voluntary Discharge from Hospice

You can leave hospice care anytime—that’s called voluntary discharge. If you or your loved one feels hospice isn’t needed or wanted anymore, you have the right to stop.

Let your hospice team know about your decision so they can help you plan what’s next. Maybe you’ll try other types of care, or focus on curative treatment instead.

Leaving now doesn’t mean you can’t return to hospice later if you need it. Your situation and wishes can change, and that’s okay.

Changing Your Mind About Hospice

If you decide to leave hospice but later want to come back, you can. Just reach out to your hospice provider or start the referral process again.

Hospice care is there for you and your family whenever you need it. Our hospice team is available 24/7 if you want to return.

Some hospice benefits might have limits based on time or medical eligibility, so your care team will walk you through what to expect if you come back.

Temporary vs. Permanent Discharge

Leaving hospice can be temporary or permanent. Sometimes, you might need hospital care that hospice can’t provide, or a short break for a medical reason—that’s a temporary discharge.

Permanent discharge means you’ve chosen to stop hospice care for good, maybe to try more aggressive treatments or because hospice just doesn’t fit right now.

If you leave temporarily and then need hospice again, you can return. Understanding the difference helps you know your rights and what support is available.

Reasons to Leave Hospice Care

Your needs or situation can change while you’re in hospice care. That might lead you to decide whether hospice is still the best option for you or your loved one. Changes could be about health, care goals, or just personal preference.

Improvement in Condition

If your health improves or stabilizes beyond what hospice expected, you might think about leaving. Hospice is really for folks with a prognosis of about six months or less.

When things turn around, hospice may not be the right fit anymore since it’s focused on comfort, not cure. You might want to look into other medical support or rehabilitation.

We reassess your needs regularly. If things change, we’ll help you figure out your best options.

Seeking Curative Treatments

Hospice is about comfort, not curing illness. If you decide to pursue treatments like surgery, chemo, or experimental care, hospice probably isn’t the right place.

Choosing curative treatments means shifting your goal from comfort to fighting the illness. That usually involves different care settings and medical teams.

You can always change your care plan if that’s what you want. Your hospice team will support your choice and help you with the next steps.

Personal or Family Choice

Sometimes, it just comes down to personal or family reasons. Maybe you want to try a new living arrangement, move closer to family, or look for different support.

Your family might want to explore community programs or other options. These decisions are about what feels right for you and your loved ones.

A trusted care service respects your choices and stays available for guidance and support, wherever your path leads.

How to Disenroll from Hospice

Leaving hospice involves a few clear steps to keep things as smooth as possible. You’ll need to tell your hospice provider, fill out some paperwork, and make a care plan with other health services.

Michigan-Specific Hospice Discharge Rules

In Michigan, hospice patients can choose to stop care at any time, for any reason, by signing a voluntary discharge form. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services explains that hospice services end the day the patient or authorized representative requests discharge.

However, patients remain eligible to reapply if their condition later meets hospice criteria again. Understanding this state-specific process can help families plan ahead and avoid service gaps.

Notifying Your Hospice Provider

Start by letting your hospice team know you want to stop care. Call your main contact or talk to your nurse or social worker.

Be open about your reasons—maybe you feel better, or want to try something new. We understand that needs change, and talking it out helps everyone plan.

Hospice care won’t end until you confirm your choice. They’ll explain how leaving might affect your comfort and what supports are available outside hospice.

Documentation and Process

You’ll usually need to sign a form saying you want to stop hospice care. Your social worker or nurse will help with the paperwork.

The process is pretty quick, though it might take a few days to finalize. You’ll get copies for your records. These forms show you made an informed choice.

Once you leave hospice, you might not be able to return right away unless your condition changes.

Transitioning to Other Care Options

When you leave hospice, you’ll need a plan for your medical and personal care. Maybe you’ll go back to your primary doctor, join a different care program, or get home health support.

Ask about care that can help with pain, symptoms, and emotional support. Your hospice team can connect you with local services or resources.

Keep a list of your medications, care needs, and important health info for your new providers. That helps keep things running smoothly.

What Happens After Leaving Hospice

Leaving hospice changes how your loved one’s health is managed and what support you get. You’ll face new decisions about care, and you can always return to hospice if needed. There are still support options to help you through the transition.

Resuming Medical Treatments

After leaving hospice, your loved one can start or restart medical care focused on managing the illness or improving life quality. That might mean hospital visits, medications, or therapies that were paused during hospice.

You and your care team will figure out which treatments make sense now. Some might slow the disease or just help with symptoms. It’s good to talk openly about your goals so that care matches your wishes.

Hospitals, doctors, and clinics step back in as key parts of care. You might need help coordinating appointments and meds. Keep close contact with your health providers to avoid confusion and stay safe.

Returning to Hospice in the Future

If health changes or symptoms get worse, you can return to hospice care anytime. Hospice is flexible and ready to step in when comfort and quality of life become priorities again.

You don’t have to wait for a crisis—coming back early can bring relief and support for your whole family.

We will welcome you back, offering 24/7 support and care focused on dignity and compassion.

Support Services Available

Even after you leave hospice, plenty of support options can still help patients and families. You might find counseling, spiritual care, or help from social workers.

Programs like Devotion C.A.R.E.S. offer free, non-medical support you can tap into anytime. That can ease stress, answer questions, or help you make decisions.

Family and caregiver support still matters. Ask for resources on coping, planning, or connecting with community services. Don’t be shy about reaching out—support doesn’t end with hospice.

Legal and Financial Considerations

Leaving hospice can affect your insurance, paperwork, and planning. It’s worth knowing how these changes might impact your benefits or legal documents so you don’t get caught off guard. Being prepared helps you make decisions you feel good about.

Medicare and Insurance Policies

If you leave hospice, your Medicare hospice benefits end. Medicare only covers hospice if a doctor certifies a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less.

Once you stop hospice, you can still use Medicare for other care, but hospice-paid equipment and medications might not be covered anymore. If you want to re-enter hospice later, you’ll probably need a new certification.

Private insurance and Medicaid have their own rules. Contact your insurance company or a social worker to see how leaving hospice affects your coverage.

Medicare Rules for Hospice Revocation

According to Medicare Hospice Benefits, patients may revoke hospice at any time by submitting a signed statement. The day after revocation, standard Medicare coverage resumes, allowing patients to seek curative treatments, routine medical visits, and hospital care.

However, hospice-related medications and equipment are no longer covered after discharge. If a patient later qualifies for hospice again, a new physician certification is required.

Advance Directives and Paperwork

Leaving hospice might mean revisiting your advance directives, living wills, or power of attorney. These documents guide your medical care and who can speak for you.

Take a look at them to make sure they still match your wishes. Changing your care plan may mean updating forms or having new conversations with your family.

Open talks help you keep these papers current, so your voice is heard no matter where your care leads.

Talking with Loved Ones and Your Care Team

Leaving hospice is a big decision, and it affects you and those close to you. It’s important to be open and real when sharing your thoughts with family and health providers. Honest talks help everyone understand what matters most to you.

Discussing Decisions with Family

Talking with family helps make sure they know how you feel about leaving hospice. Share your reasons and listen to their concerns—it can ease worries and prevent misunderstandings.

Try to stay calm and honest during these conversations. You might say, “I want to try other options,” or “I feel ready to move on from hospice.” Family members often need time to process.

Writing down your wishes can help guide these talks. Or maybe ask a trusted family member to help explain your choice. This builds shared understanding and shows your loved ones you care about their feelings too.

Communicating with Health Providers

Your care team is there to support you, so let them know directly if you want to leave hospice care. Ask what steps you’ll need to take.

They’ll walk you through what leaving hospice means and talk about other support options. That way, you’ve got the info you need without feeling pressured.

If you’re with Devotion Hospice, we’re around 24/7. Staying in touch with your care team can make this whole process feel a little less overwhelming.

Tips for Making the Right Choice

Deciding whether to leave hospice care isn’t easy. Give yourself time to think about what matters most to you and your loved one right now.

A few questions to consider:

• Does the current care meet your loved one’s physical and emotional needs?

• Would making a change bring more comfort or peace?

• Have you had an honest talk with your care team about any worries?

Jot down your top priorities. Maybe it’s pain control, emotional support, or just help with daily stuff—whatever feels most important to your family.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you feel stuck, reach out to your hospice team. Here, someone is always available to answer questions and help you sort things out—no judgment.

Choosing the Path That Feels Right

Leaving hospice care is a personal decision that your needs should guide, values, and hopes for the future. Whether it’s to explore other treatments, take a break, or adjust your care plan, you have the right to make that choice—and to return to hospice if the time is right again.

At Devotion Hospice, we believe every care decision should come with dignity, clarity, and unwavering support.

If you’re considering leaving hospice or wondering what your next steps should be, our team is ready to listen. We’ll answer questions and help you navigate your options with respect and compassion.

Call us anytime to begin the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can leave hospice care whenever you want, and if you need it again later, you can restart. Medicare covers a lot of hospice costs, but there are some rules and limits. Understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care can help you choose what fits best.

How often is one allowed to revoke hospice services?

You can stop hospice care any time you choose. There’s no limit to how many times you can revoke hospice. If you need it again, you can sign up later.

What are the limitations of Medicare coverage in hospice care?

Medicare covers hospice for people certified as terminally ill with six months or less to live. It pays for care related to the terminal illness, but not for things unrelated to the hospice diagnosis.

Is home-based hospice care fully funded by Medicare?

Medicare pays for most home hospice care. Some things not tied to the terminal illness might not be covered, so you could have small out-of-pocket costs.

Who bears the financial responsibility for in-home hospice care services?

Medicare picks up most of the bill, but you might need to pay for personal items or anything outside of hospice care. Some private insurance plans help, and sometimes family steps in for extra expenses.

What is the distinction between hospice and palliative care?

Hospice focuses on comfort when someone has six months or less to live. Palliative care can start at any stage of illness and can go alongside treatments that try to cure. Hospice steps away from curative treatments, while palliative care might continue them.

Can a patient transition from hospice care to regular home health care?

Absolutely. If your health starts looking up or you just feel like leaving hospice, you can move over to regular home health care. That kind of care leans more toward treatment and recovery—not just comfort. And if things change, you can always come back to hospice later.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to do next, Devotion Hospice is around to talk things through and help your family figure out the best path forward.