Illinois Valley Hospice

Eligibility Requirements

Hospice eligibility is not limited to certain diseases, diagnoses or ages. Basic eligibility requirements include:

The individual has a desired goal of comfort, rather than curative care. The individual wishes to no longer treat the terminal illness itself, but to focus on the management of pain and symptoms and enhance quality of life.
A physician must certify that the individual has a life expectancy of six months or less. This does not mean that hospice care can only last 6 months. In many cases, hospice care goes beyond this six-month period. (For individuals who do not have a primary care physician, our medical director is available to certify and coordinate care.)
The individual resides within Illinois Valley Hospice service area.

If you have questions about hospice eligibility, please call us at 815.224.1307.

Also, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about hospice care.