Hospice Care

Hospice is a program of care and support for people who are terminally ill. Here are some important facts about hospice:

• Hospice helps people who are terminally ill live comfortably.
• Hospice isn’t only for people with cancer.
• The focus is on comfort, not on curing an illness.
• A specially trained team of professionals and caregivers provide care for the “whole person,” including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
• Services typically include physical care, counseling, drugs, equipment, and supplies for the terminal illness and related conditions.
• Care generally is provided in the home.
• Family caregivers can get support.

Your hospice benefit covers your care and you shouldn’t have to go outside of hospice to get care (except in very rare situations). Once you choose hospice care, your hospice benefit should cover everything you need.

All Medicare-covered services you get while in hospice care are covered under Original Medicare, even if you were previously in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan.

You must pay the deductible and coinsurance amounts for all Medicare-covered services to treat health problems that aren’t part of your terminal illness and related conditions. You also must continue to pay Medicare premiums, if necessary.