What is Serious Illness Management?
Also known as Palliative or Progressive Care, Serious Illness Management is a team of specialists who treat and support patients who have a serious, progressive illness to help aggressively manage symptoms. The Serious Illness (Palliative Care) physician works alongside your current team of physicians to specifically manage your symptoms and in a way your other specialists may not consider. They take the time to discuss your goals of care, including medication reconciliation, dietary evaluation, completion of a POLST form, Advance Directive, and family support needs.
While your current physician is treating your disease to make the disease better, the Serious Illness (Palliative Care) physician is working to make you
*FEEL*
better.
Also available to you as part of the Serious Illness Team are a social worker to assist with resources and a chaplain to assist with spiritual needs. As with other specialists, appointments are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances.
