Yes—Medicare Covers Hospice Care

If you or a loved one are facing a terminal illness and are eligible for Medicare Part A, you likely qualify for hospice benefits under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This program is designed to support patients and families by providing comfort-focused care at no cost during life’s final stages. Understanding what’s covered and how to qualify can ease the stress of making difficult decisions.

What’s Included Under Medicare

Medicare's hospice coverage includes a wide range of compassionate services to support patients and their families:

• Home visits from a hospice nurse – Skilled nurses provide ongoing assessments, administer medications, and offer guidance for care at home.
• Pain management and symptom relief – Focused on comfort, hospice teams work to reduce physical symptoms like pain, nausea, and shortness of breath.
• Emotional and spiritual counseling – Chaplains, social workers, and counselors offer support to both patients and family members.
• Medical supplies and equipment – Items such as hospital beds, oxygen, medications, and wound care supplies are included when related to the terminal diagnosis.
• Respite care for family caregivers – Temporary inpatient care is available so caregivers can rest, knowing their loved one is in good hands.
• Bereavement counseling after your loved one passes – Medicare covers grief support for up to 13 months following the loss of a hospice patient.

These services are coordinated by a dedicated hospice team to ensure personalized, holistic care.

Who Is Eligible?

To receive hospice benefits under Medicare, you must meet the following criteria:

• A physician and a hospice medical director must certify that you have a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its usual course.
• You must agree to forego curative treatments (such as chemotherapy or surgery intended to cure the illness) and focus on comfort and quality of life.

Enrollment in hospice care is always voluntary and can be revoked if a patient chooses to resume curative treatment.

How Long Does Medicare Cover Hospice?

Medicare covers hospice care in defined benefit periods:

• Two 90-day periods at the beginning of care
• Followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods, as long as the hospice medical director recertifies that the patient is still terminally ill

This structure ensures continued care while allowing for flexibility based on the patient’s condition.

Have questions about your eligibility? Call our team at 757-594-2745.

Next Steps

If you're considering hospice care for yourself or a loved one, here’s how to get started:

• Learn more about Hospice Care at Home – Understand what to expect and how care can be provided in the comfort of home.
• Speak with a Riverside Hospice specialist – Our team is here to help you navigate your benefits, answer questions, and provide compassionate support.

Hospice care is about living with dignity and comfort. With the Medicare Hospice Benefit, you don’t have to face this journey alone.