Hospice Payment Options

Medicare and Hospice

The patient is eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
The patient’s doctor and a hospice medical director certify that the patient is terminally ill and has six months or less to live if the illness runs its normal course
The patient signs a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered benefits to treat the terminal illness
The patient receives care from a Medicare-approved hospice program

Doctor services
Nursing care
Medical equipment
Medical supplies
Social worker services
Spiritual care
Dietary counseling
Volunteers
Grief counseling for patient and family
Medications for symptom control or pain relief
Medical supplies and equipment related to the terminal diagnosis
Hospice aide and homemaker services
Physical and occupational therapies, as appropriate for the plan of care
Music, pet, and/or massage therapies as appropriate for the plan of care. Call to see if available in your area
Speech-language pathology services, as appropriate for the plan of care
Short-term inpatient and respite care
Any other Medicare-covered services needed to manage pain and other symptoms, as recommended by the hospice team

IMPORTANT: Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that are not related to the patient’s terminal illness.

Treatment intended to cure the terminal illness
Prescription drugs to cure the illness rather than for symptom control or pain relief
Room and board. However, room and board is covered for Respite and General Inpatient (GIP) level of care
Care in an emergency room, inpatient facility care, or ambulance transportation, unless it’s either arranged by the hospice medical team or is unrelated to the terminal illness