Hospice Care

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

1. Hospice helps people who are terminally ill live comfortably.
2. Hospice isn’t only for people with cancer.
3. The focus of hospice is comfort, not curing an illness.
4. A specially trained team of professionals and caregivers provide care for the “whole person,” including his or her physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
5. Services may include physical care, counseling, drugs, equipment, and supplies for the terminal illness and any related condition(s).
6. Care is generally provided in the home.
7. Family caregivers can receive support.

You can receive Medicare hospice benefits when you meet all of the following conditions:

• You’re eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance).
• Your doctor and the hospice medical director certify that you’re terminally ill and have six months or less to live if your illness runs its normal course.
• You sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered benefits to treat your terminal illness. (Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that aren’t related to your terminal illness.)
• You receive care from a Medicare-approved hospice program.

Your doctor and the hospice team will work with you and your family to set up a plan of care that meets your needs. Your plan of care includes hospice services that Medicare covers. If you qualify for hospice care, you will have a specially trained team and support staff available to help you and your family cope with your illness.

You and your family members are the most important part of the team. Other people on the team may include the following:

• Doctors
• Nurses or nurse practitioners
• Counselors
• Social workers
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Hospice aides
• Homemakers
• Volunteers

You can receive a one-time-only hospice consultation with a hospice medical director or hospice doctor to discuss your care options, pain, and management of your symptoms. You can receive this one-time consultation even if you decide not to pursue hospice care.

Medicare will cover the hospice care you receive for your terminal illness, but the care you receive must be from a Medicare-approved hospice program.

Important Note: Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that aren’t related to your terminal illness, such as care for an injury.

Medicare covers the following hospice services when they’re needed to care for your terminal illness and related condition(s):

• Doctor services
• Nursing care
• Medical equipment (like wheelchairs or walkers)
• Medical supplies (like bandages and catheters)
• Drugs for symptom control or pain relief (you may need to pay a small copayment)
• Hospice aide and homemaker services
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology services
• Social worker services
• Dietary counseling
• Grief and loss counseling for you and your family