Introduction
When caring for a loved one at the end of life, most families hope they can remain comfortable at home. But sometimes, symptoms become too difficult to manage outside of a hospital setting. That’s where General Inpatient (GIP) Hospice Care comes in.
At Ozark Hospice, we want families to know that you are never alone in these moments. GIP care provides short-term, hospital-based support when symptoms can’t be controlled at home — ensuring comfort, dignity, and peace for patients and reassurance for families.
What Is General Inpatient Hospice Care?
General Inpatient Hospice Care is one of the four levels of care recognized by Medicare. It is designed for short-term situations when a patient’s pain or symptoms become unmanageable in their home or nursing facility.
During a GIP stay, patients receive:
24/7 medical and nursing support in a hospital setting.
Specialized interventions to control pain, agitation, nausea, breathing issues, or other distressing symptoms.
Close monitoring so medications and treatments can be adjusted quickly.
Emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their loved ones.
The goal is to stabilize the patient, manage symptoms effectively, and return them to their preferred setting, often back home under routine hospice care.
When Is GIP Care Needed?
Families may be guided toward General Inpatient Hospice Care when symptoms can no longer be safely or comfortably managed at home. This may include:
- Severe, uncontrolled pain
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Continuous nausea or vomiting
- Agitation, restlessness, or anxiety that requires constant monitoring
- Complications that demand advanced medical support
It’s important to remember that GIP is not permanent. Once symptoms are controlled, most patients transition back to routine hospice care in the home or another familiar setting.
When Is GIP Care Needed?
At Ozark Hospice, our role is to walk with you through every step of care. When General Inpatient Care is needed, we coordinate directly with local hospitals to arrange the transfer quickly and smoothly.
Our team remains closely involved while your loved one is receiving care, ensuring their plan of care continues without interruption. We also provide emotional and spiritual support for families, offering guidance and reassurance during what can feel like a crisis moment. And when it’s time to transition again, we prepare you for the next step—whether that means returning home or moving to another level of care—so you always know what comes next.
Our commitment is to make these transitions seamless, so you can focus on being present with your loved one.
Coverage and
Peace of Mind
Like all levels of hospice care, General Inpatient Hospice Care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. This means families can make decisions based on what’s best for their loved one, not on financial stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Routine hospice focuses on providing comfort and support in the home setting. General Inpatient Care, on the other hand, is reserved for times when symptoms can’t be controlled at home and require hospital-level care. It’s not a replacement for home hospice — it’s a short-term level of care that complements it when needed.
Stays are typically brief — often just a few days — until symptoms are stabilized. Once the patient is comfortable, care usually transitions back to the home, nursing facility, or wherever the individual feels most at peace.
The hospice team works closely with the patient, family, and physician to make this decision together. If symptoms escalate, the hospice nurse will evaluate the situation and recommend the most appropriate level of care. Families are always part of this conversation.
Not necessarily. GIP care is designed for crisis management, not just the final hours. Some patients require a short inpatient stay, stabilize with treatment, and then return home for weeks or months of continued hospice care.
Even when care is provided in a hospital, Ozark Hospice stays actively involved. Our team coordinates with hospital staff, updates the care plan, and continues to provide emotional and spiritual support to families. You’ll never have to navigate the process alone.
Choosing Comfort with Ozark Hospice
Hospice care is about living well, cherishing time, and finding peace during life’s closing season. We walk with families through this journey, offering compassionate care that honors both patients and loved ones.
If you are wondering whether it might be time for hospice, we are here to talk through your questions with kindness and care. Call us at 573-686-5510 to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
