supportive care faqs

Supportive medicine is a medical subspecialty provided by doctors who offer supportive care for people who are seriously ill. Supportive care relieves suffering and improves quality of life for people of any age and at any stage in a serious illness, whether that illness is curable, chronic, or life-threatening. 

Supportive care is whole-person care that relieves symptoms of a disease or disorder, whether or not it can be cured. Hospice is a specific type of supportive care for people who likely have 6 months or less to live. In other words, hospice care is always supportive, but not all supportive care is hospice care. Hospice is comfort care without curative intent; the patient no longer has curative options or has chosen not to pursue treatment because the side effects outweigh the benefits. Supportive care is comfort care with or without curative intent. 

Supportive care is begun at the discretion of the physician and patient at any time, at any stage of illness, terminal or not.

• Your prognosis must be greater than 6 months
• You are not identified by your doctor as terminally ill
• You or your family is not emotionally ready for hospice
• You want aggressive oriented treatment 

Supportive care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include a doctor who specializes in supportive medicine, a nurse, pharmacist, social worker, dietitian, and volunteers. They address physical, emotional and spiritual pain, including such common worries as loss of independence, the well-being of the family and feeling like a burden. 

Your other doctors focus on your general health or treating your disease or condition. Supportive doctors concentrate on preventing and alleviating suffering, improving your quality of life, and helping you and your loved ones cope with the stress and burden of your illness. 

Yes. Supportive doctors have special training and expertise in pain management and symptom control, and specialize in helping patients and their families cope with the many burdens of a serious illness, from the side effects of a medical treatment to caregiver stress to fears about the future. Supportive doctors can assist you with difficult medical decisions, helping you weigh the pros and cons of various treatments. 

Absolutely. Your supportive doctor coordinates care with your other doctors and helps you navigate the often-complex healthcare system. 

No. Insurers and Medicaid agencies will provide coverage for hospice care if your doctors determine you likely have 6 months (in some cases a year) or less to live if your illness follows its normal course. However, it is your own choice to enter or leave hospice care. If your illness improves or you wish to seek curative treatment, you may leave hospice care, returning if and when you choose to. 

Not at all. The goal of supportive care is to make you comfortable and help you achieve the best possible quality of life. You can have supportive care while you are undergoing treatments that may cure or reverse the effects of your illness. In fact, supportive care can help you cope with aggressive treatments by getting your pain and symptoms under control to help you fight the disease. 

Supportive care can be provided at a hospital, a nursing home, an assisted-living facility, or at home. There are a number of ways to find a doctor who specializes in supportive medicine, including asking your personal doctor to refer you to a supportive doctor or asking your local hospital if they have a supportive specialist. 

Supportive doctors are concerned about you as a whole person—not just the part of you that is sick. They understand that people with serious illnesses can be frightened and unsure of themselves when making medical decisions. They also understand that there is not always one right or wrong answer and that your needs and wishes may change over time. Supportive doctors consider all of this when they help you develop your treatment plan. 

Many private insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offer supportive care and hospice benefits. Medicare (mostly for people 65 and older) offers hospice benefits, and the extra Medicare plan (Part B) offers some supportive care benefits. Medicaid coverage of hospice and supportive care for people of limited incomes varies by state. 

Please contact us if you would like further information about supportive care.