Many caregivers reach a point where they quietly wonder, “can you transfer hospice providers?” The answer is yes – and you don’t have to stay in a situation that doesn’t feel right. Hospice is meant to bring comfort, clarity and dependable support during a deeply personal time. If care feels rushed, inconsistent or hard to access, transferring may be the best way to protect your loved one’s comfort and your peace of mind.

Transferring hospice care means changing to a different hospice provider while remaining on the hospice benefit. The good news is that not only is switching hospice providers allowed, but it’s also the patient’s choice. In many cases, you can transfer without a gap in care, but Medicare has specific rules about how transfers work and how often you can switch. Transfers are designed to keep care continuous, so your loved one’s comfort, medications, supplies and support don’t get interrupted.

When to Transfer Hospice Care Providers (Common Signs It’s Time)

Every family’s situation is different, but there are a few common reasons people consider a hospice transfer. If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to start conversations about changing hospice providers.

You moved or your loved one changed locations

Hospice is typically organized by service areas. If a patient relocates, such as moving to a new city, moving in with family or transitioning to a different facility, a transfer may be needed to keep visits consistent and timely.

If you’re a caregiver hoping to bring your loved one closer to you, the right hospice can help make that transition feel manageable: alleviating the burden of coordinating care across distance and helping ensure there’s no lag in services, medications or medical equipment when the move happens.

Three Oaks Hospice and our sister companies: Agape Hospice Care, Elevation Hospice of Colorado, Elevation Hospice of Utah and Sage Hospice, have 40+ locations across multiple states and emphasizes responsiveness within its service areas, which can be especially important during a relocation. Find a hospice location near you today.

You need different care settings (in-home vs facility)

A patient’s needs can change quickly, and sometimes the current care plan no longer fits the reality of daily life. You might need:

• In-home hospice support (where caregiving happens day-to-day)
• Hospice care in an assisted living community
• Hospice support in a nursing facility
• A higher level of support due to symptoms that need closer management
• In-facility hospice care to alleviate stress for those at home

At Three Oaks Hospice, care is provided wherever a patient calls home. If the setting needs to change, it’s reasonable to re-evaluate whether your current hospice provider can meet you there.

You’re not happy with quality of care

Hospice should improve comfort and reduce stress. If you’re seeing the opposite, you may be dealing with a mismatch in provider or a genuine quality issue. Signs can include:

• Pain or symptoms that aren’t being managed (or feel “brushed off”)
• Slow response times, especially when symptoms escalate
• Clinical team no-shows or missed scheduled visits
• Poor bedside manner, rushed visits or a lack of compassion
• A care plan that doesn’t reflect the patient’s wishes and goals

Quality hospice care is both clinical and personal; it should address symptom management while also honoring dignity and comfort.

Frequent caregiver turnover or lack of continuity

Consistency matters in hospice. When the team changes too often, families can feel like they’re constantly starting over.
Common frustrations include:

• Re-explaining routines, medications or preferences repeatedly
• Inconsistent scheduling
• Missed visits or last-minute changes that leave caregivers scrambling

Hospice care works best when the team knows the patient well, communicates clearly and follows consistent routines.

Inadequate communication

Hospice care should never feel confusing or hard to access. Communication red flags include:

• Difficulty reaching a nurse after-hours
• Unclear guidance on what to do when symptoms change
• Updates not shared clearly with family or facility staff
• You’re left guessing about medications, equipment or next steps

Clear communication is a cornerstone of hospice support — especially when changes happen quickly.

Missing services you expected from hospice providers

Many families don’t realize how comprehensive hospice can be until they experience it. If you expected more support than you’re receiving, it may be time to compare options.

Common service gaps include:

• Little to no caregiver education (you don’t feel coached or supported)
• Limited emotional/spiritual support
• Weak bereavement support planning (for before and after loss)
• Poor coordination with the attending physician or facility staff

Three Oaks describes hospice as a team approach that supports patients and families physically, emotionally and spiritually, including bereavement care.

Red flags that require urgent action

Some issues aren’t just frustrating; they can affect comfort and safety. Consider acting quickly if you see:
Medication delays that affect symptom control

• Equipment delays (oxygen, hospital bed, supplies) that affect comfort
• Safety concerns in the home or facility that aren’t being addressed
• Repeated billing confusion or unclear explanations about what is covered vs. “unrelated” items (this is where election/addendum transparency matters)

Hospices are required to use election statements that explain the hospice election and related coverage implications, and these topics should be explained in plain language when families have questions.

Medicare Hospice Transfer Regulations

If your loved one is using the Medicare Hospice Benefit, it helps to understand the basic rules before you transfer.
Here are the key points:

• A Medicare beneficiary may change hospice providers once per benefit period.
• The hospice benefit periods are structured as followed:
  • First benefit period: 90 days
  • Second benefit period: 90 days
  • Subsequent benefit periods: 60 days each
• A transfer is not a revocation of hospice. It’s a change in the designated hospice provider.T
• he transfer must occur on the same date to avoid a break in hospice election/billing. This ensures no gaps in care or claim rejections occur.
• The receiving hospice files a new election/notice, but the benefit period dates are unaffected (you continue in the same benefit period).

What this means: If you already switched once during the current benefit period, you may need guidance on timing or whether a revocation and re-election is appropriate for your situation. A hospice professional can help you understand your options without pressure.

Hospice Transfer Guidelines: Step-by-Step

A hospice transfer doesn’t have to be a last-minute, crisis-driven decision. If you are wondering how to change from one hospice to another, it may be helpful to know that in many situations, caregivers begin hospice transfer discussions weeks in advance or as soon as a dip in the quality of care is recognized. Early planning can reduce stress and help ensure your loved one’s comfort isn’t disrupted.

Below are practical hospice transfer guidelines that families often follow.

Step 1: Compare hospice providers in your area

When you’re considering hospice providers, look beyond marketing and focus on day-to-day realities:

• Response times (including nights/weekends)
• After-hours coverage and who answers the phone
• RN involvement and how symptom changes are managed
• Continuity (how often teams rotate)
• Specialty programs and strong facility relationships
• Online reviews and reputation
• Transparency around coverage and costs

If possible, ask a provider to explain how they handle urgent symptom changes and equipment needs ahead of time – because those moments matter most.

Step 2: Call the new hospice first to confirm they can accept

Before making changes, confirm the new hospice can serve:

• Your loved one’s location/service area
• The current care setting (home, assisted living, nursing facility, hospital)
• The timeframe for starting care

This call is also a chance to “feel” the provider’s communication style. Are they calm? Clear? Helpful? Were your initial conversations straightforward and productive? If you are sensing issues before the transfer occurs, it may not be the right fit for you.

Step 3: Coordinate the transfer date

A smooth transfer typically means coordinating a same-day transition so coverage and services continue without interruption.
This is especially important for:

• Pain and symptom medications
• Oxygen and other respiratory support
• DME (hospital bed, wheelchair, commode)
• Scheduled visits and aide support
• Avoidance of a gap in care

Step 4: Sign the hospice transfer form / statement

A hospice transfer form (or transfer statement) is generally straightforward. It should include:

• The hospice you’re leaving
• The hospice you’re choosing
• The effective date of the change

Medicare guidance describes this transfer statement requirement and emphasizes that it must be filed with both hospices.

Step 5: Make sure medications, DME, and the visit schedule are bridged

Ask directly how the new hospice will prevent “day one” disruptions, including:

• Comfort medication availability
• Who delivers medications after-hours (if needed)
• How quickly DME and supplies arrive
• When the first nurse visit will occur

This is where a strong provider can truly alleviate the burden on family caregivers by coordinating the moving parts proactively.

Step 6: Request records and a care plan handoff

To help the new team step in smoothly, request:

• Current medication list (with dosing schedule)
• Symptom plan (pain, anxiety, nausea, breathing, agitation)
• Recent clinical notes (if available)
• Emergency protocols and contact instructions
• Facility communication notes (when applicable)

Questions to Ask Before Switching Hospice Providers

If you’re talking with a new hospice, these questions can help you compare confidently:

• How fast do you respond after-hours? Who answers the phone, and when does a nurse call back?
• Who is on my care team, and how is continuity handled? Will we have consistent staff?
• How often will RN visits occur, and how are changes made? What triggers increased visits?
• How do you coordinate with my facility and attending physician? Who communicates updates?
• What support is available for caregivers and grief/bereavement? What does support look like before and after loss?

How Three Oaks Hospice Helps With a Smooth Hospice Transfer

A hospice transfer is about one thing: ensuring your loved one receives the support, comfort and dignity they deserve, without adding stress for caregivers.

Three Oaks Hospice describes its mission as to listen, care, and serve, delivering comprehensive care that includes pain and symptom management alongside emotional and spiritual support.

If you’re considering a transfer, Three Oaks can help coordinate key details like start timing, service area coverage and continuity of supplies and equipment. Contact us today to learn more.