Medicare Hospice Care: What It Covers and When to Consider It
Medicare covers comprehensive hospice care for terminally ill beneficiaries -- but many families wait too long to use it. Here is what hospice covers, who qualifies, and how to access this benefit.
Medicare Hospice Care: What It Covers and When to Consider It
Hospice is one of Medicare's most comprehensive and compassionate benefits -- yet it is consistently underutilized. Many families wait until the final days of life to access hospice, missing months of comfort, support, and quality of life that hospice can provide.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice is a philosophy of care focused on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment. It is for people with a terminal illness who have decided to focus on comfort rather than aggressive treatment.
Hospice is not giving up -- it is choosing to spend remaining time with dignity, comfort, and support, surrounded by family.
What Medicare Hospice Covers
Medicare's hospice benefit is remarkably comprehensive. Covered services include:
Medical care:
- Physician services (hospice medical director and attending physician)
- Skilled nursing visits
- Pain and symptom management
- Medications related to the terminal diagnosis (covered at 100% or small copay)
Supportive services:
- Home health aide and homemaker services
- Social worker services
- Counseling (including bereavement counseling for family)
- Spiritual care / chaplain services
- Volunteer support
Equipment and supplies:
- Medical equipment (hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen)
- Medical supplies (bandages, catheters)
Respite care:
- Short-term inpatient care to give family caregivers a break (up to 5 consecutive days)
Inpatient hospice care:
- For pain and symptom management that cannot be managed at home
What Hospice Does NOT Cover
- Curative treatment for the terminal illness
- Treatment for unrelated conditions (covered by regular Medicare)
- Room and board in a nursing home (though hospice services are provided there)
Who Qualifies for Medicare Hospice
To qualify for Medicare hospice, you must:
- Be eligible for Medicare Part A
- Have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less (if the illness runs its normal course) -- certified by your doctor and the hospice medical director
- Choose comfort care rather than curative treatment for the terminal illness
- Receive care from a Medicare-certified hospice program
Hospice Benefit Periods
Medicare hospice is provided in benefit periods:
- Two 90-day periods
- Followed by unlimited 60-day periods
At the start of each period, a hospice doctor must recertify that you still have a terminal prognosis. If you live longer than expected, you can continue to receive hospice as long as you still qualify.
You can leave hospice at any time -- if you decide to pursue curative treatment, you can revoke the hospice election and return to regular Medicare coverage.
Where Hospice Is Provided
Hospice is most commonly provided at home -- the hospice team comes to you. Hospice can also be provided in:
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Inpatient hospice facilities
- Hospitals (for acute symptom management)
The Hospice Conversation
Many families and physicians are reluctant to discuss hospice because it feels like "giving up." Research consistently shows the opposite -- hospice patients often live as long as or longer than similar patients who pursue aggressive treatment, and they report significantly better quality of life.
If your doctor hasn't raised the hospice conversation and you or a loved one has a serious illness, it's appropriate to ask: "Would my loved one benefit from a hospice evaluation?"
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Explore Topics
About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.