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Paying for Hospice Care

paying for hospice

Original Medicare covers the cost of everything a hospice patient needs related to their terminal illness, even if they're enrolled in Medicare Advantage or have a Medigap policy.

Hospice is a generous Medicare benefit you have earned

Hospice is a generous Medicare benefit you have earned

Hospice is covered by Medicare Part A, VA benefits, Medicaid and most private insurance policies. These benefits offer patients a dignified and comfortable end of life without overwhelming financial burdens.


For patients with Medicare, the hospice benefits covers all services related to the terminal illness. There are no co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses. Care is covered even for someone with a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap. After electing hospice, all care related to a terminal illness follows Original Medicare’s cost and coverage rules.


Patients then have the option to keep their Advantage plan or use Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to cover other health care services. Learn more about hospice with Medicare Advantage.


Medicare typically covers all expenses, if these requirements are met.


  • Your doctor and a medical director from a hospice program certify the patient has six months or less to live, if the illness runs its normal course.
  • The patient signs a statement choosing hospice instead of curative treatments for their terminal illness. You can stop hospice and return to curative treatment at any time.
  • The patient receives care from Medicare-approved hospice program.
Medicare What's Covered app

Visit the hospice information page on Medicare.gov.


Medicare has a mobile app called, What’s covered, to help you understand Medicare coverage and payments for hospice. Find the What's Covered app in Google Play or the Apple App store.



Compassus is fully Medicare approved in every state we serve.

Hospice services for patients and their families

What about Medicare coverage for other services?

You still get Medicare coverage for treatment of illnesses or injuries unrelated to your terminal illness. For example, Medicare would continue to cover diabetes care and medications. However, the costs you usually pay for services will apply. If you decide to keep your Medicare Advantage plan, that plan will be responsible for other costs.


How long can someone receive hospice care using Medicare?

The hospice benefit includes two 90-day benefit periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods. Hospice patients receive care as long as the doctor and the hospice medical director certify that the patient is terminally ill.


If the patient lives longer than six months, hospice care is still available, as long as the hospice medical director or another hospice doctor re-certifies the terminal illness. Hospice eligibility


Room and board costs at a nursing home, hospital or other facility are not covered by the Medicare hospice benefit?

Hospice care services are covered wherever you call home, but Medicare does not pay anything toward room and board expenses. The exception is short-term inpatient or respite care.


Prescription drug costs

Medications prescribed for pain and symptom management may require a co-payment of $5 or less. Call one of our local offices for details about any potential costs to you.

How to start care

Visit our locations page to find a hospice program near you. Call the location 24/7 for information or to schedule a free consultation.


If you have questions or want to talk about care options, you may also call our resource center at 931-486-8757 or use the form on this page.


The patient will not receive a bill for the services covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Medicare pays the hospice directly.