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