Hospice care
Medicare Coverage Information
Overview
Medicare provides comprehensive hospice care coverage for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. This coverage focuses on comfort, pain management, and quality of life for patients, offering support for both medical and emotional needs.
- Covers hospice care for patients with terminal illnesses and life expectancy of six months or less
- Includes medical services, pain management, and emotional support
- Covers medications related to pain relief and symptom management
- Provides counseling and support services for patients and families
- Available through Original Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part A beneficiaries
- Patients with terminal diagnosis
- Patients who have a doctor's certification of terminal illness
- Those willing to stop curative treatments
- Generally no cost for hospice care services
- Small copayment for prescription medications (typically less than $5)
- Medicare covers nearly all hospice-related expenses
- No deductible applies to hospice care services
- Must be certified as terminally ill by a doctor
- Life expectancy must be six months or less
- Patient must choose hospice care over curative treatments
- Coverage requires periodic medical reviews
- Consult with your primary care physician about hospice care eligibility
- Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE for specific coverage details
- Discuss hospice care options with family members
- Review your specific Medicare plan's hospice care provisions
Last updated: 6/15/2025
Quick Information
- Provider
- Medicare
- Last Updated
- 6/15/2025
- Topics
- Medicare hospice careend-of-life careterminal illness coverageMedicare benefitshospice services
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