What Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care Provides
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care is a for-profit hospice provider operating in multiple states across the United States. The organization delivers end-of-life care and symptom management to patients in their homes, nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and inpatient hospice units. Unlike some hospice providers that are nonprofit or hospital-based, Seasons operates as a private company and bills Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for the services it delivers.
The care Seasons provides includes pain management, nursing visits, aide services, chaplaincy, social work, bereavement support, and medical equipment. A patient's doctor must certify that the person has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live before hospice care begins. Seasons does not make this information — the referring physician does — but Seasons staff work with that doctor to coordinate the patient's care plan.
Seasons operates in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and others, though the exact service areas change. If you are looking for Seasons specifically, you will need to check whether they serve your location, as hospice providers are regional and do not operate nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- Seasons Hospice is a for-profit provider that accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, so you do not pay out of pocket for covered services.
- A patient's own doctor must refer them to hospice and certify the six-month prognosis; Seasons does not make this decision independently.
- Seasons delivers care in homes, nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and inpatient units depending on the patient's needs and location.
- Seasons operates in specific states and regions, so you will need to confirm they serve your area before contacting them.
- Bereavement support continues for a period after the patient's death and is included as part of the hospice benefit.
How to Start Care with Seasons
The process begins with a referral from the patient's physician. The doctor must complete a referral form stating that the patient has a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months or less. This is not a decision Seasons makes; it is a medical information the doctor provides. Once Seasons receives the referral, an intake nurse contacts the patient and family to schedule an initial assessment.
During the assessment, a Seasons nurse reviews the patient's medical history, current medications, symptoms, and care goals. The nurse also explains what hospice care covers, what the patient and family should expect, and how the care team will be structured. If the patient and family decide to move forward, Seasons coordinates with the referring physician to finalize the care plan.
Insurance verification happens during intake. Seasons bills Medicare Part A (which covers hospice), Medicaid (in states where Seasons operates), or private insurance. Patients are not responsible for copayments or deductibles for hospice-covered services under Medicare. If a patient has both Medicare and Medicaid, both programs may be billed according to coordination-of-benefits rules.
What Services Seasons Includes in Hospice Care
Medicare and most insurance plans define hospice as a comprehensive benefit, meaning many services are bundled into one daily rate rather than billed separately. Seasons includes nursing care, aide services for personal hygiene and comfort, medications related to the terminal illness and symptom management, medical equipment (such as hospital beds and oxygen), and chaplaincy or spiritual care.
Social workers on the Seasons team help patients and families with practical matters such as advance directives, financial planning, and coordination with other services. Bereavement counselors work with family members before and after the patient's death. Volunteers may also visit to provide companionship or respite for caregivers.
Seasons also provides inpatient care for patients who need acute symptom management that cannot be handled at home. This might include pain that requires close monitoring, nausea and vomiting that need adjustment, or respite care to give family caregivers a break. The length of an inpatient stay varies depending on the patient's needs.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice at Seasons
Seasons uses the term "palliative care" to describe symptom management and comfort-focused treatment that may happen before a patient enters hospice. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment — a patient might receive chemotherapy and palliative care at the same time. Hospice, by contrast, is reserved for patients who have stopped pursuing curative treatment and are focused on comfort in their final months.
Some Seasons locations offer palliative care services separate from hospice, though this varies by region. Palliative care is typically billed differently than hospice and may have different insurance coverage. If you are interested in palliative services specifically, you will need to ask Seasons whether they offer this in your area and how it is covered by your insurance.
Insurance Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Medicare covers hospice care under Part A without a copayment or deductible for services included in the hospice benefit. Medicaid also covers hospice in states where Seasons operates, though coverage details vary by state. Private insurance plans cover hospice differently — some cover it fully, others require a copayment, and some may not cover it at all.
Patients are responsible for any costs not covered by insurance. This might include medications not related to the terminal illness, non-covered equipment, or services outside the hospice benefit. Seasons should provide a clear explanation of what insurance covers and what the patient or family may owe before care begins.
If cost is a concern, discuss this with the Seasons intake team or social worker. Some patients may have other resources, such as charitable organizations or community programs, that can help with expenses.
Seasons' Service Areas and How to Contact Them
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care operates in multiple states, primarily in the South and Midwest, but the exact locations change as the company expands or contracts. Before contacting Seasons, verify that they serve your zip code or county. You can do this by visiting their website or calling their main line to ask about service availability in your area.
If Seasons does not serve your location, ask your doctor for a referral to another hospice provider in your area. All Medicare-certified hospices follow similar regulations and coverage rules, so the main differences between providers are their specific services, staff, and how they operate in your community.
What Happens After the Patient Dies
When a patient dies, Seasons coordinates with the funeral home or medical examiner as needed. The hospice nurse pronounces the death and documents it in the medical record. Seasons then provides bereavement support to the family, which typically includes counseling, support groups, and written materials about grief.
The length and type of bereavement support varies, but Medicare requires hospices to offer bereavement services for at least 13 months after the patient's death. Seasons may offer longer support depending on the family's needs and the organization's resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seasons Hospice accept Medicare?
Yes, Seasons accepts Medicare Part A, which covers hospice without a copayment or deductible for covered services. Seasons also accepts Medicaid in states where it operates and many private insurance plans. Contact Seasons directly to confirm your specific insurance is accepted in your area.
Can a patient switch to Seasons if they are already in hospice with another provider?
Yes, patients can change hospice providers at any time. The patient or family member should contact Seasons to request a transfer, and Seasons will coordinate with the current hospice provider to move the medical records and care plan. The referring physician does not need to issue a new referral if the six-month prognosis is still current.
What if the patient lives longer than six months?
If a patient lives longer than six months, the referring physician must recertify the prognosis to continue hospice care. This happens every 60 days after the initial certification. If the doctor believes the patient no longer meets the six-month prognosis, the patient may be discharged from hospice, though they can be readmitted later if the condition worsens.
Does Seasons provide 24/7 support?
Most hospice providers, including Seasons, have on-call nurses available 24 hours a day for urgent questions or symptom changes. Ask the Seasons team during intake how to reach the on-call nurse and what situations warrant an after-hours call.
Is bereavement support only for the patient's spouse?
No, bereavement support is available to any family member or close person affected by the patient's death. This includes adult children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, and others. Seasons offers different types of support, such as individual counseling or group sessions, to meet different needs.