Choosing a hospice provider is an important decision, but families sometimes discover after care begins that the provider they selected is not the right fit.

Maybe communication has been difficult. Perhaps the family does not feel adequately supported, or the patient’s needs have changed. Sometimes a family simply finds another hospice team they feel more comfortable working with.

Whatever the reason, families receiving Los Angeles hospice care should know something important:

Choosing hospice does not necessarily mean you are permanently tied to the first hospice provider you select.

Under Medicare rules, a patient may change their designated hospice provider once during each hospice benefit period. Medicare considers this a transfer, rather than a revocation of hospice.

Understanding how that process works can make changing providers feel much less overwhelming.

Yes, You Can Change Hospice Providers

For Medicare beneficiaries, changing from one hospice provider to another is permitted.

Current Medicare guidance allows an individual to change their designated hospice once during each benefit period. Hospice benefit periods generally consist of two initial 90-day periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods, provided the patient continues to meet eligibility requirements.

Importantly, transferring to another hospice does not automatically mean giving up the hospice benefit or starting the hospice process all over again.

When handled as a transfer, the patient continues within the same Medicare hospice benefit period.

Why Might a Family Consider Changing Hospice Providers?

There isn’t one single reason families consider switching.

Sometimes the issue is communication. Other times, families may feel the care they’re receiving does not match what they expected when hospice began.

A family might consider another provider because they are looking for:

• Better communication with the hospice team
• More responsive support
• A care approach that feels more personalized
• Clearer explanations about what to expect
• Better support for family caregivers
• A team that feels like a stronger personal fit
• Services that more closely match the patient’s needs

Hospice is an intensely personal experience. Families should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding the care their loved one is receiving.

If you’re still evaluating what matters when selecting a provider, How to Choose the Right Hospice Provider in Los Angeles: 10 Questions Every Family Should Ask provides additional guidance.

Talk About Your Concerns Before Making a Decision

Changing providers is an option, but it doesn’t always have to be the first step.

If there is a specific concern, consider discussing it directly with the current hospice team.

Ask:

• Who should we contact when we have concerns?
• Can the care plan be adjusted?
• Can someone explain the frequency of visits?
• What happens when symptoms change?
• What support is available to family caregivers?
• Are our expectations consistent with what hospice actually provides?

Sometimes a conversation can resolve misunderstandings quickly.

For example, families occasionally expect hospice to provide a caregiver in the home around the clock. Understanding the actual scope of hospice care can prevent expectations from becoming a source of frustration.

The published guide What Does Hospice NOT Cover? Understanding Services and Limitations explains these distinctions in greater detail.

How Does a Hospice Transfer Work?

For a Medicare hospice transfer, the patient or their representative must file a signed statement with the newly selected hospice.

According to CMS, that statement must identify:

• The hospice currently providing care
• The hospice the patient wishes to receive care from
• The effective date of the change

The receiving hospice then handles the required Medicare transfer procedures.

Families therefore shouldn’t feel as though they have to navigate the administrative process entirely on their own.

Once you have identified the hospice you want to transfer to, speak with the new provider about the next steps and how they coordinate the transition.

Is Changing Hospice the Same as Leaving Hospice?

No. This distinction is important.

A transfer means the patient is changing from one hospice provider to another while continuing hospice.

Revoking hospice is different.

With a properly coordinated transfer, Medicare states that the patient’s current hospice benefit period continues and the hospice benefit is not affected simply because the patient changes providers.

This is one reason families should clearly communicate that they are seeking a hospice transfer rather than simply ending hospice services.

Can There Be a Gap in Hospice Care?

A properly coordinated transfer is designed to maintain continuity.

CMS billing guidance states that the effective transfer date should align between the outgoing and incoming hospices so there isn’t a gap in the hospice election.

That makes coordination between providers particularly important.

Before making the change, families can ask the new hospice:

• When will your care officially begin?
• How will you coordinate with our current hospice?
• When will the new care team contact us?
• How will medications, equipment, and supplies be handled?
• Who should we call during the transition?

These questions can make the change feel much more manageable.

What Should You Ask a New Hospice Before Transferring?

Changing providers should solve a problem—not create another one.

Before making a transfer, ask the prospective hospice about the concerns that prompted you to consider changing in the first place.

For example:

If communication was the problem:

Ask who your primary contact will be and how after-hours concerns are handled.

If caregiver support was the problem:

Ask what education and guidance the hospice provides family caregivers.

If expectations were unclear:

Ask the provider to explain exactly which services are included and how frequently different members of the hospice team typically visit based on patient needs.

If responsiveness was the problem:

Ask what happens when symptoms suddenly change and how families reach the hospice team outside regular hours.

The goal isn’t simply to find a different hospice. It is to find a hospice team that better fits the needs of the patient and family.

Don’t Confuse Changing Providers With Hospice Eligibility

Changing hospice providers does not by itself mean a patient is no longer eligible for hospice.

Hospice eligibility is based on the patient’s medical condition and applicable eligibility requirements—not whether the family prefers one provider over another.

Families who want a clearer understanding of eligibility can read Who Qualifies for Hospice in Los Angeles? A Complete Family Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Hospice Providers

Can I switch hospice providers if I’m unhappy with my current provider?

Yes. Medicare beneficiaries can change their designated hospice provider once during each hospice benefit period.

Will changing hospice providers cancel my Medicare hospice benefit?

A properly completed transfer does not terminate the current hospice benefit period. The patient continues within the same benefit period with the new hospice.

Do I have to give a reason for changing hospice providers?

CMS’s transfer requirements focus on the signed transfer statement identifying the current hospice, the new hospice, and the effective date; the federal transfer requirements cited here do not list a reason for changing providers as a required element.

How many times can I change hospice providers?

Under Medicare, a patient may change their designated hospice once during each benefit period.

Should I contact the new hospice before leaving my current one?

Yes. Coordinating with the new hospice first can help establish the effective transfer date and reduce the risk of an unintended interruption in care. The receiving hospice will also need to obtain medical records supporting hospice eligibility from the current hospice. This will typically require a HIPAA release of information, signed by the patient or their representative. 

Final Thoughts: Families Should Feel Confident in Their Hospice Care

Hospice is built around comfort, dignity, communication, and support. If a family feels their current provider is no longer meeting their loved one’s needs, they should know that changing hospice providers may be an option.

Before transferring, communicate your concerns, understand what hospice can reasonably provide, and ask detailed questions of any new hospice you are considering.

At Faith & Hope Hospice, our team believes families deserve clear answers and compassionate guidance when making decisions about hospice care. If you are considering hospice care in Los Angeles for the first time—or exploring whether another hospice team may be a better fit for your family—our team is here to help you understand your options and what the next steps may look like.

The goal is not simply to choose a hospice provider. It is to find a team you trust to help your loved one experience comfort, dignity, and meaningful support throughout their hospice journey.

Sources: CMS Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 9 and CMS Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 11.