Question 1

What does an end-of-life consultant actually do?

Accepted Answer

An end-of-life consultant helps patients and families understand medical situations, navigate complex healthcare systems, and make informed decisions during serious illness or as death approaches. At Informed Endings, that means translating clinical information into plain language, identifying gaps in care, advocating directly with your medical team, and ensuring your values and priorities shape the decisions made.

Question 2

What is the difference between a death doula and what Veronica Phipps does?

Accepted Answer

A traditional end-of-life or death doula focuses on emotional and spiritual comfort. Veronica's practice builds on that foundation by adding clinical expertise. As a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (ACHPN) with nearly a decade of palliative care experience, she can monitor symptoms, interpret medical information, identify care gaps, and advocate directly with your care team as a clinical peer.

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Informed Endings does not participate in or bill insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid. This allows Veronica to remain a neutral, third-party liaison dedicated solely to your interests, without institutional constraints. All services are invoiced through a secure digital portal.

Question 4

When is the right time to seek end-of-life support?

Accepted Answer

Support is most effective when you don't wait for a crisis, but it's valuable at any stage — after a new diagnosis, when treatment goals change, during a confusing hospitalization, or as you or a loved one approaches end of life. You deserve clarity and support from the start, not just when things become unmanageable.

Question 5

Do you offer virtual consultations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While Veronica provides in-person support throughout the New York area, she works with clients nationwide through video and phone consultations. Distance does not limit her ability to help you understand test results, evaluate care options, or prepare for important medical conversations.

Question 6

Is this the same as hospice care?

Accepted Answer

No. Hospice is a Medicare-funded program delivered by a clinical team under a physician's hospice order. Informed Endings is an independent consulting service that can help you understand whether hospice is the right option, how to enroll, what to expect, and how to advocate for your loved one's comfort within the hospice system. Veronica works alongside your hospice team, not in place of it.