What Kindred Hospice is and how to find it

Kindred Hospice is a for-profit hospice provider owned by Kindred Healthcare, one of the largest hospice operators in the United States. It operates in multiple states and provides end-of-life care in patients' homes, nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and inpatient hospice units. Like other hospice providers, Kindred works with your doctor to manage pain and symptoms when curative treatment is no longer the goal.

You can find Kindred Hospice locations through their website or by calling their main line. Your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or current care team can also refer you directly. If you are looking at hospice options in your area, ask your doctor or hospital which providers they work with — some facilities have preferred partnerships that can speed up the referral process.

Kindred accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. The hospice benefit itself (whether through Medicare or another payer) covers the medical care, medications, equipment, and support services — you do not pay out of pocket for hospice services once you are enrolled in a hospice benefit. If you are uninsured or underinsured, ask the Kindred intake team about their financial counselor, who can discuss options with you.

Key Takeaways

  • Kindred Hospice is a national for-profit provider that delivers end-of-life care in homes, facilities, and inpatient units across multiple states.
  • Your doctor must refer you, and you and your doctor must agree that curative treatment is no longer the goal before hospice care begins.
  • Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance cover hospice services in full once you are enrolled in a hospice benefit — you do not pay for the medical care itself.
  • Kindred provides nursing, aide support, chaplaincy, social work, and bereavement counseling as part of the hospice team.
  • You can change hospice providers or stop hospice care at any time if your situation or preferences change.

How the referral and enrollment process works

The process begins with a conversation between you, your family, and your doctor about whether hospice is right for you. Your doctor does not have to work for Kindred — any physician can refer you. Once you and your doctor agree that hospice is the next step, your doctor will write an order and send it to Kindred (or you can contact Kindred directly and ask them to reach out to your doctor).

A Kindred intake coordinator will then call you to gather information: your medical history, current medications, insurance details, and where you want to receive care. They will also explain what hospice covers and what to expect. If you are in a hospital or nursing facility, the coordinator may visit in person. If you are at home, the initial visit is usually scheduled within 24 to 48 hours.

Before care starts, you will sign consent forms and a plan of care. These documents outline the services Kindred will provide, your rights as a patient, and how often nurses and aides will visit. You will also choose a primary caregiver — usually a family member — who will be the main contact for the hospice team.

What services Kindred Hospice includes

Hospice is a team-based service. When you enroll with Kindred, you gain access to nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers — all coordinated by a medical director. The nurse visits regularly (frequency depends on your needs and where you are receiving care) to manage pain, adjust medications, monitor symptoms, and teach your family how to help you stay comfortable.

Home health aides help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and other personal care tasks. A social worker helps you and your family with practical and emotional concerns — insurance questions, family meetings, or connecting you with community resources. The chaplain or spiritual counselor is available regardless of your faith; many patients find this support valuable even if they are not religious. Volunteers may visit to sit with you, help with light tasks, or provide respite for your caregiver.

Kindred also provides medications, medical equipment (such as hospital beds, oxygen, or commodes), and supplies needed for your comfort. Bereavement support for your family continues for up to 13 months after death, typically through counseling, support groups, or written materials.

Where Kindred Hospice provides care

Kindred operates in multiple settings. Home-based care is the most common — nurses and aides visit your house on a schedule you agree to, and you remain in your own environment with family nearby. Facility-based care happens in nursing homes, assisted living communities, or memory care units where Kindred staff work alongside the facility's team.

Inpatient hospice units are dedicated beds in hospitals or standalone facilities where you can stay if symptoms become hard to manage at home or if your caregiver needs a break. Respite care allows your primary caregiver to take time off — Kindred arranges a short inpatient stay (usually up to five days) so your family member can rest, and Medicare or your insurance covers this.

The setting you choose depends on your medical needs, your home situation, and what your insurance covers. You can change settings during your hospice care if circumstances change — for example, moving from home care to inpatient care if symptoms worsen.

Insurance coverage and costs

If you have Medicare, the Medicare Hospice Benefit covers all hospice services at no cost to you — there is no copay, coinsurance, or deductible for hospice-related care. Medicaid also covers hospice in all states, though the details vary by state. Most private insurance plans cover hospice as well, though you should confirm with your plan before enrolling.

The only costs you might face are for services or medications unrelated to your hospice diagnosis. For example, if you need treatment for a condition that is separate from the reason you enrolled in hospice, that treatment may not be covered by the hospice benefit. Ask Kindred's financial counselor to clarify what is and is not covered under your specific plan.

If you are uninsured, Kindred may still serve you — many hospice providers have sliding-scale fees or community grants. Contact the Kindred location in your area to discuss your situation with a financial counselor.

Your rights and ability to change providers

You have the right to know your diagnosis and prognosis, to refuse treatment or medication, and to change your plan of care at any time. You also have the right to change hospice providers or to stop hospice care altogether if you wish. There is no penalty for switching — if you decide Kindred is not the right fit, you can ask your doctor to refer you to another hospice, and the new provider will coordinate the transition with Kindred.

If you have a complaint about Kindred's care, you can file a grievance with the hospice directly, or you can contact your state's health department or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare-certified hospices are inspected regularly, and complaint records are public.

Questions to ask Kindred before enrolling

Before you commit to Kindred, it is reasonable to ask about their nurse-to-patient ratio, how often nurses visit, what happens if you need urgent care outside business hours, and whether they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Ask about their chaplaincy and bereavement services, and whether they have volunteers available. You can also ask for references or speak with families who have used their services.

Ask about their policies on pain management and symptom control — this is the core of hospice care, and you want to know that Kindred takes it seriously. If you have specific cultural or spiritual needs, ask how Kindred accommodates them. These conversations help you decide whether Kindred is the right provider for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my doctor continue to see me while I am on Kindred Hospice?

Yes. Your primary care doctor or specialist can continue to visit and coordinate with the Kindred team. Many patients keep their existing doctors involved in their care. Kindred's medical director oversees the hospice plan, but your own doctor remains part of your care team if you both want that.

What happens if my symptoms get worse or I change my mind about hospice?

If your symptoms worsen, Kindred can increase the frequency of visits, adjust medications, or move you to inpatient care. If you decide you want to pursue curative treatment again, you can stop hospice at any time. Your doctor would need to refer you back to curative care, and your insurance would cover that instead.

Does Kindred Hospice work in all states?

Kindred operates in multiple states but not nationwide. Check their website or call to find locations near you. If Kindred does not serve your area, your doctor can refer you to another hospice provider in your region.

How long does hospice care typically last?

Hospice length varies widely — some patients receive care for a few weeks, others for months. The Medicare Hospice Benefit does not limit how long you can receive care as long as your doctor continues to certify that you meet hospice criteria. Kindred will work with you and your doctor to adjust the plan as your needs change.

Will Kindred help my family after I die?

Yes. Kindred provides bereavement support for your family for up to 13 months after death. This may include counseling, support groups, written materials, or holiday remembrance events. Ask about their specific bereavement program when you enroll.