Can You Keep Your Primary Care Doctor After Starting Hospice?

Your loved one’s medical journey has been stressful, frequently changing and often overwhelming. But one constant has been the same primary care physician who has provided a steady foundation and sense of consistency through all of the ups and downs.

At Shiloh Hospice, we understand that any sense of comfort is vital to your hospice patient’s path and that this physician is an important component of care. We recognize that keeping the personal relationship between patient and doctor during the transition to hospice care is very important. The relationship carries trust, history and comfort. 

Our team will discuss how your loved one can keep the primary care doctor he or she has been treated by after starting hospice. Here is what you need to know.

What Role Does the Attending Physician Play in Hospice Care?

When a patient enrolls in hospice, they have the right to name an attending physician, which is the doctor responsible for overseeing their medical care alongside the hospice team. This can be their primary care doctor or a specialist they already trust.

The attending physician collaborates closely with the hospice team, contributing to the care plan and helping manage symptoms related to the patient’s diagnosis. At Shiloh Hospice, our medical director communicates directly with the attending physician, ensuring seamless coordination so nothing falls through the cracks.

When Can Patients Keep Their Primary Care Doctor or Specialist?

Under Medicare’s hospice benefit, one physician not employed by the hospice can receive payment for care related to the patient’s primary diagnosis, and that is the attending physician. This means:

• Patients can keep their primary care doctor if that doctor is formally designated as the attending physician.
• If a patient sees a different doctor for care connected to their terminal illness, Medicare will not cover it.

In a medical emergency unrelated to the hospice diagnosis, do not hesitate to contact the hospice team so we can assist with emergency services.

How Do the Primary Care Doctor and Hospice Team Coordinate Care?

Coordination is at the heart of good hospice care. The attending physician and the hospice team, including nurses, social workers, chaplains and aides, work together to address the patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

At Shiloh Hospice, on-call nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to adjust care as a patient’s needs change. When a patient’s condition shifts, the hospice team communicates those updates with the attending physician so that decisions are made collaboratively and with full context.

This team-based model means families do not have to navigate two separate systems. Everyone is working toward the same goal: keeping the patient comfortable and honoring their wishes.

Making the Right Decision for Your Loved One

Choosing to keep a familiar doctor during hospice is a deeply personal decision. Continuity of care can bring real comfort, especially when a patient has built trust with their physician over many years. The key is making sure that that relationship is formally recognized when hospice begins.

If you are unsure how to work through these decisions and need to discuss your options, the team at Shiloh Hospice is here to help. We walk families through every step of the process with clarity, compassion and care. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get the answers you need.