As a geriatric specialist with Essen Health Care, Dr. Migias frequently refers patients with advanced illness to VNS Health Hospice Care. Here are three reasons he gives as to why:
- VNS Health Hospice serves all five New York City boroughs.
Essen’s service area is broad and many of our patients who need hospice care are homebound. Because VNS Health provides in-home hospice services in all five boroughs, it can provide high-quality hospice care for my patients wherever they may live in New York City. When a patient is approaching end of life and needs to be kept comfortable at home, I know VNS Health is available and accessible. - They are very responsive.
Another key advantage that VNS Health Hospice offers is responsiveness. We have excellent communication with their staff, so referring patients is seamless—we can process the required documents and enroll our patients smoothly and easily. Their team members are also extremely responsive following admission. VNS Health Hospice’s nurses and case managers are very good about reaching out to our providers with updates on patients—letting us know, for example, if there’s a change in the patient’s condition. - VNS Health provides education and support to referring physician practices.
Another plus is the support VNS Health offers to our physician practices. Providers don’t always feel comfortable about having end-of-life hospice discussions with their patients. VNS Health Hospice has held numerous educational sessions with our provider teams. As a result, many of our team members now realize the benefits of having that hospice discussion earlier, so their patients can receive the benefits of hospice care sooner. This puts everybody on the same page, which is really important.
To make a Hospice referral, click here.
