Choosing hospice care for someone you love can bring a lot of questions. You want them to be comfortable, receive dependable care, and remain surrounded by familiar people and surroundings. But when several hospice agencies seem to offer the same services, how do you know which one is right for your family?
The best place to start is with a few practical questions. Who answers the phone at night? Will your loved one see familiar nurses? What happens if symptoms suddenly change? What will insurance cover?
For families in Farmington Hills, Novi, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, and surrounding Oakland County communities, understanding these details can make the decision feel more manageable.
At T.O.N.E. Hospice & Palliative Care, we believe every family deserves clear answers before choosing a hospice provider. This guide explains how to verify an agency’s credentials, what to look for during your first conversation, and 12 important questions to ask any hospice agency—including us.
What Does “Licensed and Medicare-Certified” Mean in Michigan?
Not all organizations providing care at home offer the same services or operate under the same requirements.
In Michigan, hospice agencies must meet applicable state licensing requirements. Agencies participating in Medicare must also meet federal certification standards.
These requirements address important areas of hospice care, including patient rights, clinical oversight, staffing, care planning, quality assurance, and access to services.
State Licensing
A Michigan hospice license indicates that an agency is authorized to operate under the state’s applicable hospice requirements.
Licensing is an important starting point when evaluating a provider, but it doesn’t tell you everything about how care will feel in your home.
Medicare Certification
A Medicare-certified hospice must meet federal requirements for providing hospice services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
These standards include interdisciplinary care planning, clinical oversight, patient and family support, and access to nursing and other hospice services.
Medicare certification also allows eligible patients to receive covered hospice services through the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
What This Means for Your Family
Licensing and certification help establish that an agency meets important regulatory standards. However, they don’t automatically tell you how promptly the team responds, how consistently caregivers visit, or how clearly staff communicate.
That’s why verifying credentials should be the first step—not the only step—in choosing a hospice provider.
How to Verify a Hospice Agency’s Credentials in Michigan
You don’t have to rely solely on what an agency tells you about its qualifications.
State and federal resources can help you verify credentials and review available quality information.
Step 1: Check Michigan State Licensing
Visit Michigan’s Find or Verify a Licensed Professional or Business tool, provided by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Search for the hospice agency using its legal or business name.
Review the available licensing information, including its status and any applicable public regulatory records.
If you cannot find the organization, ask the agency for its exact licensed name and license information.
Step 2: Review Medicare Care Compare
Visit Medicare Care Compare and search for hospice providers by location or agency name.
Medicare provides publicly available information about certified hospice organizations, including certain quality measures and family-experience survey results.
These may help you compare how families report their experiences with communication, timely help, emotional support, and overall care.
Step 3: Look Beyond a Single Rating
No single quality measure tells the entire story.
An agency may have limited publicly reported data, and survey results may not capture every family’s experience.
Use available ratings alongside your conversations with the agency, your loved one’s physician, and others familiar with local hospice services.
A trustworthy provider should be comfortable explaining its credentials and available quality information.
12 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Hospice Agency
When you’re speaking with hospice agencies in Oakland County, keep this checklist nearby.
These questions can help you understand what everyday care will look like, what support is available, and how the team will respond when your loved one’s needs change.
Availability and After-Hours Support
1. Who answers our calls at night, on weekends, or during holidays?
Hospice care includes access to clinical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ask whether calls are answered by a nurse, an answering service that connects you with a clinician, or another member of the care team.
What matters most is that your family understands how to reach qualified clinical support when questions or concerns arise.
2. How are urgent symptoms assessed, and when can a nurse visit our home?
Pain, breathing difficulties, anxiety, or other symptoms may change unexpectedly.
Ask how the hospice determines whether a concern can be addressed by phone or requires an in-home nursing visit.
Find out what response time your family should realistically expect and what to do while waiting for assistance.
Staffing and Continuity of Care
3. Will our loved one have a primary nurse and familiar hospice aides?
Seeing familiar caregivers can help patients feel more comfortable and make communication easier for families.
Ask how nurses and aides are assigned, whether your loved one will generally see the same people, and how substitutions are handled.
4. How often will nurses and hospice aides visit?
Visit schedules depend on the patient’s individual needs and care plan.
Ask how the team determines visit frequency, who coordinates the schedule, and how visits are adjusted if your loved one’s condition changes.
A good hospice provider should explain how the care plan is developed and reviewed.
Levels of Care
5. What happens if symptoms cannot be managed comfortably at home?
Most hospice care is provided through routine visits at home. However, some patients may experience symptoms that require more intensive support.
Ask how the agency handles these situations and whether short-term inpatient hospice care can be arranged when medically appropriate.
Understanding these options before a crisis can help families feel more prepared.
6. How do you arrange continuous home care or respite care when appropriate?
Continuous home care may be available for short periods when a patient experiences an acute symptom crisis requiring more intensive nursing support.
It is not the same as routine, around-the-clock private-duty caregiving.
Respite care may also be available to provide temporary relief for family caregivers.
Ask how the agency determines eligibility for these services, where they are provided, and how arrangements are made.
Medications, Equipment, and Supplies
7. Which medications, medical equipment, and supplies are covered by hospice?
Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, medications, equipment, and supplies related to the terminal illness and related conditions are generally covered when included in the hospice care plan.
These may include medications for symptom relief, hospital beds, oxygen, wheelchairs, and other necessary supplies.
Ask the agency to explain what is covered and whether any limited cost-sharing may apply.
8. How are urgent medication or equipment needs handled?
When a loved one’s needs change, timely access to medications and equipment can make a meaningful difference in comfort.
Ask how prescriptions are coordinated, how equipment is delivered, and what happens if something is needed after regular business hours.
The agency should be able to explain its process clearly.
Insurance, Costs, and Coverage
9. What does our insurance cover, and what expenses might remain?
Medicare generally covers hospice-related nursing care, medications, equipment, supplies, and other eligible services.
However, limited copayments may apply to certain medications, and coinsurance may apply to short-term inpatient respite care.
Routine room and board and full-time private-duty caregiving are generally not covered by Medicare hospice.
If your loved one has Medicaid, VA benefits, or private insurance, ask the agency to review the applicable coverage requirements.
10. Who can help us understand bills or insurance questions?
Insurance information can be confusing, particularly when a family is already managing medical appointments and caregiving responsibilities.
Ask who can explain benefits, answer billing questions, and help you understand which expenses are covered.
You should feel comfortable asking about costs before hospice enrollment.
Family and Emotional Support
11. What emotional, social work, and spiritual support is available to our family?
Hospice care supports more than physical symptoms.
Medical social workers can help families navigate emotional concerns and practical challenges. Chaplains and spiritual care professionals may also provide support according to the patient’s beliefs and preferences.
Ask what services are available and how family members can request additional guidance.
12. What bereavement support do you provide, and how long is it available?
Medicare-certified hospice programs provide bereavement services, generally extending for 13 months following a patient’s death.
Ask what that support includes.
Depending on the agency, services may involve individual counseling, check-in calls, educational materials, support groups, or referrals to community resources.
Understanding the available support can help families feel less alone as their needs change.
What Answers Should Reassure You—and When Should You Ask More Questions?
The way an agency answers your questions can tell you as much as the answers themselves.
Look for clear explanations, realistic expectations, and a willingness to discuss your family’s concerns without pressure.
| Care topic | Reassuring response | Reason to ask more questions |
| After-hours support | Clearly explains how to reach clinical staff and how urgent concerns are handled | Cannot explain who responds or how urgent needs are assessed |
| Nursing continuity | Describes primary nurse assignments and how changes are communicated | Cannot explain who coordinates your loved one’s care |
| Visit schedules | Explains how visits are determined and adjusted as needs change | Promises a fixed schedule without considering individual needs |
| Costs and coverage | Reviews covered services and possible out-of-pocket expenses | Promises everything is free without reviewing coverage |
| Equipment and medications | Explains how needed items are ordered, delivered, and managed | Cannot explain how urgent medication or equipment needs are addressed |
| Family support | Describes available social work, spiritual, caregiver, and bereavement services | Cannot identify what support is available or how to access it |
Remember that every hospice organization operates somewhat differently.
The goal isn’t to find an agency that gives the fastest or most reassuring answer to every question. It’s to find a team that explains its services honestly and follows through on its commitments.
What Should You Expect During the Hospice Admission Process?
The first conversation and admission process should help your family understand the care being offered.
A hospice representative or clinical team member should explain the hospice benefit, review your loved one’s needs, discuss care goals, and answer questions about available services.
When hospice admission moves forward, the team will coordinate the required medical certification, review relevant medical information, explain patient rights, and complete the necessary election and consent documentation.
A clinical assessment helps guide the individualized care plan.
This may include discussing:
- Current symptoms and comfort needs
- Medications and medical equipment
- Nursing and hospice aide visits
- Family caregiving responsibilities
- Emotional and spiritual preferences
- After-hours support and emergency procedures
- Insurance coverage and possible expenses
Your loved one should be involved in decisions to the extent they are able and wish to participate. When legally appropriate, an authorized representative may make decisions on their behalf.
You should have an opportunity to understand the information, ask questions, and make an informed decision before electing hospice care.
An informational conversation does not obligate your family to enroll.
Can You Change Hospice Providers After Enrollment?
Yes. Choosing a hospice agency doesn’t mean you must remain with that organization indefinitely.
Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, a patient generally may transfer to another hospice provider once during each hospice benefit election period without revoking hospice coverage.
This is different from voluntarily ending hospice care.
How a Hospice Transfer Generally Works
1. Choose a New Hospice Provider
Contact the agency you’re considering and explain that your loved one is currently receiving hospice care.
2. Discuss Eligibility and Transfer Arrangements
The receiving hospice can explain the necessary documentation, coverage requirements, and proposed transfer date.
3. Complete the Required Transfer Documentation
The patient or authorized representative must complete the applicable transfer documentation identifying the new hospice and effective date.
4. Coordinate Care Between Agencies
The current and receiving hospice teams should coordinate relevant medical information, medications, equipment, and care arrangements to minimize interruptions.
If you’re concerned about the care your loved one is receiving, you can also discuss those concerns with the hospice’s clinical leadership or patient representative before deciding whether to transfer.
Families deserve to have their concerns heard and addressed respectfully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Hospice Care in Oakland County
How do I choose a licensed hospice agency in Oakland County, MI?
Start by verifying the agency’s Michigan licensing status and Medicare certification. Then review available Medicare quality and family-experience information.
Ask about after-hours nursing support, continuity of caregivers, symptom management, insurance coverage, and family services.
The best choice is a provider that meets your loved one’s needs and communicates clearly with your family.
How do I know whether a hospice agency is licensed in Michigan?
Visit Michigan’s Find or Verify a Licensed Professional or Business tool through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
You can also check Medicare Care Compare to confirm whether a hospice participates in Medicare and review available quality information.
Does Medicare cover hospice care in Oakland County?
Yes. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries can receive covered hospice services in Oakland County.
Medicare generally covers hospice-related nursing visits, medications for symptom management, medical equipment, supplies, and other services included in the care plan.
Limited cost-sharing may apply in certain circumstances, and some expenses—such as routine room and board or private-duty caregiving—are generally not covered.
Will my loved one receive the same nurse during hospice care?
Many hospice agencies assign a primary nurse to coordinate care, but staffing arrangements can vary.
Ask whether your loved one will generally see familiar nurses and aides, how scheduling works, and how the agency communicates changes in caregiver assignments.
Can our family doctor remain involved in hospice care?
Yes. Patients may choose an attending physician who continues participating in their care alongside the hospice medical director and interdisciplinary team.
Ask the hospice how it coordinates with your loved one’s current physician and shares important care updates.
Can we switch hospice agencies if we’re unhappy with the care?
Yes. Under Medicare, patients generally may transfer to another hospice once during each hospice benefit election period without revoking hospice coverage.
The agencies must coordinate the required documentation and transfer arrangements.
What medical equipment does hospice provide at home?
Depending on the patient’s needs, hospice may provide equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wheelchair, walker, or other items necessary for hospice-related care.
The hospice team determines which equipment is appropriate as part of the individualized care plan.
Where does T.O.N.E. Hospice provide care?
T.O.N.E. Hospice is based in Farmington Hills and serves families across Oakland County and surrounding Metro Detroit communities, including Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Novi, Troy, Southfield, and Royal Oak.
Contact our team to confirm service availability for your loved one’s specific location.
Ask T.O.N.E. All 12 Questions. We’re Here to Answer.
Choosing hospice care is a personal decision. Your family deserves clear answers, dependable support, and the confidence that your loved one’s comfort and dignity will remain central to every care decision.
At T.O.N.E. Hospice & Palliative Care, we are a team built on compassionate care that begins with listening.
Our interdisciplinary team works together to address patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while helping families understand what to expect. As part of our local healthcare family, we also work alongside T.O.N.E. Home Health Services and T.O.N.E. Home Care to help make care transitions smoother for the families we serve.
Whether you’re wondering about nursing visits, after-hours support, medications, medical equipment, insurance coverage, or caregiver assistance, we welcome your questions.
We encourage you to ask us the same 12 questions you would ask any hospice provider.
You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. Sometimes, a conversation is the best place to begin.
Have Questions About Hospice Care?
Call 248-522-9572 to speak with T.O.N.E. Hospice & Palliative Care about your loved one’s needs and available care options.
No pressure. Just clear answers, compassionate guidance, and support for your family.
T.O.N.E. Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. 33742 W. 12 Mile Rd., Suite A2 Farmington Hills, MI 48331
Phone: 248-522-9572 Website: https://tonehospice.com
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical, legal, or insurance advice. Hospice eligibility, coverage, and transfer requirements depend on individual circumstances and applicable program rules. Contact your hospice provider, insurer, or Medicare for guidance specific to your situation.