Who Pays for Hospice Care?

This is a common question in caregiver support group meeting and I love letting people know about the Medicare Benefit.
Hospice Care is a covered benefit under Medicare Part A.  The Medicare Hospice Benefit is designed to meet the unique needs of those who have a terminal illness and not seeking curative treatment.  It provides them and their loved ones with special support and services not otherwise covered by Medicare.

Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, beneficiaries elect to receive non-curative treatment and services for their terminal illness.  However, the beneficiary may continue to access standard Medicare benefits for treatment of conditions unrelated to the terminal illness.

These benefits are available to Medicare beneficiaries who are certified by their Doctor as terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less.

Some private insurances also carry the Hospice Benefit and we can check with your insurance provider for more information.

Layman's terms:  If you are on Medicare, you have the Hospice Benefit available.

Let me know if you have any questions, I would love to hear from you!