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Palliative medicine is a medical specialty focused on relieving the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness — at any stage. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work alongside your other physicians.

No — and this is one of the most important distinctions to understand. Palliative care can be received at any point during a serious illness, alongside curative treatment. Hospice is a specific program for patients near the end of life who have decided to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment. All hospice care is palliative, but not all palliative care is hospice.

Absolutely. Palliative care works alongside your existing treatment — chemotherapy, dialysis, cardiac procedures, or any other therapy. In fact, research shows that patients who receive palliative care concurrently with cancer treatment often live longer and report better quality of life than those who do not.

No. A referral to palliative medicine means your care team wants you to have the best possible quality of life while living with a serious illness. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage — early diagnosis, during treatment, or at the end of life. Getting a referral is a sign that your team is thinking carefully about your whole person, not just your disease.

Palliative care consultations are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans as a specialist visit. Hospice is a specific Medicare and Medicaid benefit that covers a broad range of services at little or no out-of-pocket cost. Our team is happy to help clarify coverage for your specific situation before your first appointment.

Bring a list of your current medications, any recent test results or specialist notes if you have them, and — most importantly — your questions. There are no wrong questions. You're welcome to bring a family member or close friend. The first visit is mostly about listening and getting to know you and your situation.

Palliative medicine specialists have advanced training specifically in managing complex symptoms of serious illness — pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, anxiety — and in facilitating difficult goals-of-care conversations. We don't replace your primary care doctor or specialists. We work with them to add a layer of expertise focused entirely on your comfort and quality of life.

Yes. Palliative care is appropriate for people of all ages facing serious illness. Pediatric palliative care is a subspecialty for children and adolescents. Please contact us to discuss your situation and we'll help connect you with the right team.