Seasons Hospice Tulsa (now operating as Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Oklahoma) provides end-of-life care, palliative care, and grief support for patients in Tulsa and surrounding counties. This article explains what Seasons Hospice Tulsa offers, how hospice care works, what it costs, and how to decide if it is the right choice for a loved one.
Background: Who Seasons Hospice Is
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care is a national for-profit hospice provider with locations across the United States, including a Tulsa office. The Tulsa branch serves patients in Tulsa, Rogers, Wagoner, Creek, and Osage counties, among others. Seasons is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) and is Medicare-certified, meaning it must meet federal quality standards to receive Medicare reimbursement. The organization emphasizes a team-based approach, with nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers working together to support patients and families.
How Hospice Care Works at Seasons Tulsa
Hospice care is for people with a terminal illness (typically a prognosis of six months or less) who choose comfort-focused care instead of curative treatment. Seasons Tulsa provides care in the patient’s home, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in its own inpatient unit if needed. The care plan is tailored to each patient and includes:
- Nursing care: A registered nurse visits regularly to assess symptoms, adjust medications, and coordinate care. A nurse is on call 24/7 for urgent needs.
- Pain and symptom management: Medications, oxygen, and other supplies are delivered to the home to manage pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and other symptoms.
- Personal care: Home health aides assist with bathing, dressing, and other daily activities.
- Emotional and spiritual support: Social workers and chaplains provide counseling and help with advance directives, funeral planning, and family communication.
- Bereavement support: After a patient dies, Seasons offers grief counseling to family members for up to 13 months.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Seasons Tulsa also provides palliative care, which is often confused with hospice. Palliative care is available to anyone with a serious illness, regardless of prognosis, and can be provided alongside curative treatment. For example, a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer might receive palliative care to manage pain and fatigue. Hospice, by contrast, is a specific type of palliative care for patients who have decided to stop curative treatment. Seasons offers both, but the Tulsa office primarily focuses on hospice. If a patient’s condition improves or they choose to resume curative treatment, they can leave hospice and later re-enroll.
Costs and Insurance Coverage
Hospice care is covered by Medicare Part A, which pays for all hospice-related services with no copay, as long as the hospice provider is Medicare-certified. Medicaid also covers hospice in Oklahoma, and most private insurance plans include a hospice benefit. Seasons Tulsa accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. For patients without insurance, Seasons offers a charity care program based on financial need. However, the patient is still responsible for any costs not covered by insurance, such as a private room in an inpatient facility if the patient’s insurance does not cover it. It is important to ask Seasons for a detailed written estimate before starting care.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider in Tulsa
Choosing a hospice is a significant decision. Here are factors to consider when comparing Seasons Tulsa to other local providers like Saint Francis Hospice or Clarehouse:
- Medicare certification: Ensure the provider is Medicare-certified, which guarantees a minimum standard of care.
- Availability of 24/7 nursing: Ask how quickly a nurse can respond in an emergency—some providers guarantee a visit within a few hours.
- Inpatient unit: If the patient may need inpatient care for symptom management, check if the provider has its own unit or contracts with a hospital.
- Bereavement support: Ask about the duration and type of grief support offered to families.
- Staff-to-patient ratio: A lower ratio means more attention, but this information is not always public; ask during a consultation.
- Patient reviews: Look at online reviews on sites like Caring.com or Google, but keep in mind that negative reviews may reflect unrealistic expectations.
Common Problems and How to Address Them
Families sometimes report issues with hospice care, such as delayed medication delivery, inconsistent aides, or poor communication. To minimize problems, designate one family member as the main contact with the hospice team. If a medication is not delivered on time, call the 24/7 nurse line immediately. If you are unhappy with an aide, request a replacement—Seasons has a policy of accommodating such requests. If a problem is not resolved, contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s complaint line or the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization. It is also wise to read the patient’s rights document provided at admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seasons Hospice Tulsa provide services in nursing homes?
Yes, Seasons contracts with many nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Tulsa area. The hospice team works alongside the facility’s staff to provide extra nursing visits, medical supplies, and emotional support. The facility still provides room and board, which is not covered by hospice.
Can a patient still see their regular doctor while on hospice?
Yes. The patient’s primary care physician can remain involved and may serve as the hospice medical director or work with the hospice’s medical director to coordinate care. Many patients keep their own doctor for comfort and continuity.
What happens if the patient lives longer than six months?
Hospice is not limited to six months. If the patient’s condition stabilizes or improves, they can be recertified for another 60-day period, and this can continue as long as the doctor certifies that the patient is still terminally ill. Some patients live on hospice for over a year.
Is hospice care only for cancer patients?
No. Hospice serves anyone with a terminal illness, including heart disease, COPD, dementia, kidney failure, ALS, and other conditions. In fact, heart disease and dementia are leading diagnoses among hospice patients in the U.S.
Does Seasons Tulsa offer pediatric hospice?
Seasons Hospice does provide pediatric hospice care in some markets, but it is not a primary focus of the Tulsa office. If you need pediatric hospice, ask Seasons if they have a specialized team or ask for a referral to a pediatric-focused provider like Children’s Hospice of Oklahoma.
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