We know you may have a lot of questions about the services we offer. We are happy to answer any questions in person, over the phone, or by email. But, in the meantime, here are answers to some common inquiries we receive.

If you have a question or concern that is not addressed here, just contact us. We’re always glad to help you.

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What area of North Carolina does 3HC service?

3HC operates in eastern North Carolina, from the Triangle to the coast.
The counties included in our service area are below, with more to come soon:

Beaufort
Carteret
Craven
Cumberland
Duplin
Durham*

Edgecombe
Franklin*
Granville*
Greene
Harnett
Johnston

Jones
Lenoir
Nash
Onslow
Pitt
Robeson**

Sampson
Vance*
Wake
Warren*
Wayne
Wilson

* Home Health Only
** Home Hospice Only

Does 3HC have an established history of success in hospice care?

Yes, indeed. Home Health and Hospice Care, Inc, known as 3HC, has been around for over four decades. Our spread from one small office in Mount Olive, North Carolina in 1981, to now being one of the most respected hospice companies in the country proves our success.
Who pays for Hospice Care?

Many hospice patients are eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit, which covers much of the cost. For those not eligible for Medicare, hospice care can be paid for through private insurance, and sometimes Medicaid. 3HC’s trained staff is knowledgeable about eligibility, coverage, and reimbursement requirements and will assist you with understanding your insurance benefits after verification.
Who pays for Home Health Care?

In most parts of the country, over 99% of all home health services are paid by some third party/insurance company. All third-party payers have specific eligibility requirements and coverage parameters. Obviously, there are many specifics that relate to each third-party payer’s decision about a particular patient situation.
So, how do I know if my health insurance will cover the services?

Many commercial or private insurance companies include home health benefits as part of their health insurance policies. In general, many commercial insurance policies require a prior hospital stay, physician’s orders, and need for intermittent skilled services to cover the cost of Home Health Services.

The number of visits, types of services and requirements for coverage vary greatly. Fortunately, 3HC’s trained staff is knowledgeable about eligibility, reimbursement, and coverage requirements and will assist you with understanding your insurance benefits after verification.
What if I have Medicare or Medicaid?

Approximately 80% of all home health visits are paid by Medicare.

In North Carolina, 10 – 15% of all home health visits are paid by the Medicaid program. Medicaid is primarily a state program designed to provide necessary health care to low-income citizens. Eligibility to receive services under the program is determined based on financial information, which is periodically reviewed.
What are the eligibility requirements for intake into the Kitty Askins Hospice Center and SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House?
Who is Kitty Askins?

In Wayne County, the name Kitty Askins has become synonymous with comfort and care for a family’s most prized possession – loved ones on the threshold of their last days. The question of “Who is Kitty Askins?” always brings a smile to husband Richard Askins’ face, he says:

“People are curious what you have to do to have a building named after you. The truth is, she was just about the most normal person I have known – but maybe that’s the point. There are some people who can give without receiving. Are they extraordinary people, or regular folks, who accept our human responsibility to look after each other?”

Kitty pioneered home health services at Mount Olive, later to be 3HC, presenting the idea to local doctors and coordinating the process practically from the road, as she handled all the house calls. She was essentially the first hospice nurse in Wayne County and her compassion and commitment inspired all those around her. In death, as in life, one’s true legacy can live long afterward.

As her husband said, “Kitty’s story has no ending. It’s now just different people continuing the work.”
What is the “Dying Person’s Bill of Rights”?
At the heart of home health and hospice care is the philosophy of retaining the patient’s dignity and comfort in their last days. The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights outlines the fundamentals of that philosophy in action. It was developed in 1975 in a workshop sponsored by the South Western Michigan Inservice Education Council, which was focused on needs of the terminally ill. It is as follows:

DYING PERSON’S BILL OF RIGHTS

I have the right to be treated as a living human until I die.

I have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be.

I have the right to be cared for by those who can maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing this may be.

I have the right to express my feelings and emotions about my approaching death in my own way.

I have the right to participate in decisions concerning my care.

I have the right to expect continuing medical and nursing attention even though “cure” goals must be changed to “comfort” goals.

I have the right to not die alone.

I have the right to be free of pain.

I have the right to have my questions answered honestly.

I have the right to retain my individuality and not be judged for my decisions, which may be contrary to the belief of others.

I have the right to expect that the sanctity of the human body will be respected after death.

I have the right to be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and will be able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.
Where can I find more information about hospice care and resources concerning specific diseases and conditions?

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Helpful Links and Additional Resources

AHHC of NC

https://ahhcnc.org/

Official website for the Association of Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC), a nonprofit association representing providers of home health, hospice, palliative care, personal care, private duty nursing, companion/sitter services, and more, with a mission to provide resources, education, advocacy, and leadership.
ALS ASSOCIATION
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
COMMUNITY HEALTH ACCREDITATION PARTNER

https://chapinc.org/

CHAP’s mission is to provide leadership in enhancing the health and well-being of diverse communities achieved through the development of Standards of Excellence that assure the management of ethical, humane, and competent care in home, community, and public health settings.
FIVE WISHES
HOME HEALTH COMPARE and HOSPICE COMPARE

http://www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/home.asp

Medicare’s compiled listing of home care providers and their ratings compared to state and national averages. Searches are based on zip code, county, or state preference. In addition, searches can be completed by entering a particular agency’s name.
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES ASSOC.
HOSPICE PATIENTS’ ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOC. FOR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
MEDICAID HOSPICE BENEFIT
MEDICARE HOSPICE BENEFIT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HOMECARE
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

http://www.cancer.gov

The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.
NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ORGANIZATION

http://www.nhpco.org/

NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the largest agency in state government, responsible for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing the human service needs for fragile populations like the mentally ill, deaf, blind and developmentally disabled, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
ON OUR OWN TERMS

https://billmoyers.com/series/on-our-own-terms-moyers-on-dying/

An in-depth, thought-provoking site based on the four-part, six-hour PBS mini-series which aired in 2000. Issues include personal care, family response to terminal illness and death, the hospice philosophy and more.

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