Care Needs
Everyone deserves dignity and respect during a serious illness or end-of-life care. Southwest Hospice Foundation, through generous contributions from our benefactors, primarily provides funding for the extraordinary needs of hospice patients in our community. Our goal is to relieve some of the hardships and distress for these patients and their families during a very difficult time. Improving end-of-life care - for everyone.

The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors representing a diversity of expertise and skills who oversee the disbursement of funds that are donated, bequethed, or acquired through fundraising activities. Examples of how funds may be used for hospice care:

  -Interdisciplinary care
  -Household cleaning and personal items
  -Funeral expenses
  -Food, special outings and music & books
  -Transportation for visiting family
  -Community Outreach
  -Research for end-of-life programs

Guidelines
Funding for extraordinary needs beyond what a hospice would normally provide is available to all hospice patients who qualify under the guidelines. Funds will not be allocated for patients’ needs that should be met by the hospice under the reimbursement system of Medicare, Medicaid or third party payment.

If a patient qualifies for Medicaid or is already receiving charity from a hospice provider, a financial review is not required for the patient.

For a copy of Hospice Special Needs Request Guidelines, please click here.

For a copy of Hospice Special Needs Request Form, please click here.

For a copy of Hospice Special Needs Request Financial Assessment, please click here.

GRANT REQUESTS MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:

1. The interdisciplinary team caring for the patient, the professional caregiver or a not-for-profit organization helping hospice patients/families may make the request for funding an extraordinary need. The person making this request, Team Manager and Sr. Manager or a not-for-profit organization professional staff member's signature is required on the request form submitted to the Foundation.
2. Completion of the "Hospice Special Needs Request Form.pdf” and the “Hospice Special Needs Financial Assessment Worksheet.pdf" is very important! Please fax the form and worksheet to the Foundation along with an INVOICE, LETTER or COPY OF GIFT CARD from the vendor/provider of service.
   The Foundation fax # is: 1-520-615-3998.
3. The request will be reviewed and the appropriate person in the hospice program or not-for-profit organization will be advised of the results by telephone, letter or email as appropriate.
4. If approved, a check will be issued to the vendor or service provider. Checks are never issued to the patient/family or hospice staff member unless approved by the Executive Director. Payment will be sent by regular mail unless the need is urgent.

FUNDS WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED FOR PATIENT'S NEEDS THAT SHOULD BE MET BY THE HOSPICE UNDER THE REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM OF MEDICARE, MEDICAID/MEDICAL, OR THIRD PARTY PAYMENT.

Please contact the Foundation for examples of extraordinary needs that may be funded if not funded elsewhere. Examples of extraordinary needs that are usually not funded by the Foundation will be included.

• Extraordinary need may be granted while the patient is on a hospice program and/or 30 days from discharge.
• If the patient/family have funds in an account to cover expense, the request will be denied.

Any exception to the above must be approved by the Chairman, Vice Chairperson, President or Executive Director.