Who Pays for Hospice and Palliative Care?
Hospice care is covered under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). You are eligible for Medicare hospice benefits when you meet all of the following conditions: • You are eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), and • Your doctor and the hospice medical director certify that you are terminally ill and probably have less than six months to live, and • You sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of routine Medicare covered benefits for your terminal illness, and • You receive care from a Medicare-approved hospice program. • Please note: ‘Traditional’ Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that are not related to your terminal illness. What hospice services does the Medicare Hospice Benefit cover? Medicare covers these hospice services and pays nearly all of their costs: • Visits to and services provided by your doctor • Nursing care • Medical equipment (such as wheelchairs or walkers) • Medical supplies (such as bandages and catheters) • Dr
