Skip to main content

Home Health & Hospice

Compassionate care
when you need it most.

Hospice

Medicare Coverage and Eligibility

Is Hospice covered by insurance?

Yes, hospice is covered if the patient has Medicare Part A and meets all of these conditions:

  • The hospice doctor and the regular doctor (or nurse practitioner) certify the patient is terminally ill (expected to live six months or less).
  • You or the patient accepts palliative care (for comfort) instead of care to cure.
  • You or the patient signs a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered treatments for your terminal illness and related conditions.

Depending on your terminal illness and related conditions, the plan of care your hospice team creates can include any or all of these services:

  • Doctor services
  • Nursing care
  • Medical equipment (like wheelchairs or walkers)
  • Medical supplies (like bandages and catheters)
  • Prescription drugs for symptom control or pain relief
  • Hospice aide and homemaker services
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Speech-language pathology services
  • Social work services
  • Dietary counseling
  • Grief and loss counseling for you and your family
  • Short-term inpatient care (for pain and symptom management)
  • Short-term respite care
  • Any other Medicare-covered services needed to manage your pain and other symptoms related to your terminal illness and related conditions, as recommended by your hospice team

 

Read Next: Caregiver Tips

 

 

Sources:
www.medicare.gov
www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-and-respite-care.html

 

Learn how Palliative Care can help you or your loved one.
Learn how Palliative Care can help you or your loved one.