Yes, Medicare covers hospice care delivered in your home
Medicare Part A covers hospice care when you are in the final stages of a terminal illness and your doctor certifies that you have six months or less to live. Hospice can be delivered in your home, a hospice facility, a hospital, or a nursing home. Medicare pays for the full cost of hospice services — there is no copay, coinsurance, or deductible for services related to your terminal condition.
The key requirement is that you must choose hospice care instead of curative treatment for your illness. Once you enroll in Medicare hospice, your Part A coverage for hospital stays and skilled nursing related to your terminal condition stops. You keep your Part B coverage for other medical needs, and you can leave hospice at any time if you decide to pursue treatment again.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part A covers all hospice services at home with no out-of-pocket costs for your terminal illness care.
- Your doctor and a hospice medical director must both certify that you have six months or less to live.
- Hospice covers nursing, pain medication, counseling, and equipment — but you must stop pursuing curative treatment for your terminal condition.
- You can change your mind and leave hospice to resume treatment, though re-enrolling later may require new certification.
- Medicare covers hospice in your home, a facility, a hospital, or a nursing home at the same cost to you.
What Medicare hospice covers at home
When you receive hospice at home, Medicare pays for a team of professionals to visit you. This includes a hospice nurse, home health aide, social worker, and chaplain or counselor. The frequency of visits depends on your needs — some people receive daily nursing care, while others may see the nurse weekly.
Medicare also covers all medications related to your terminal condition, medical equipment like oxygen or a hospital bed, and supplies like wound dressings and catheters. Hospice includes pain management and symptom control as the main focus of care. If you need inpatient care for pain that cannot be managed at home, Medicare covers a short stay in a hospice facility or hospital.
Bereavement counseling for your family is covered for up to 13 months after your death. This is one of the few hospice services that extends beyond your own care.
How to enroll in Medicare hospice
Your doctor must refer you to a hospice agency, or you can contact a hospice provider directly. The hospice agency will send a nurse to assess whether you meet Medicare's criteria — primarily that your doctor and the hospice medical director both agree you have a terminal illness with six months or less to live.
You will sign a consent form stating that you understand you are choosing comfort care over curative treatment. You can name a family member or friend as your representative to make decisions if you become unable to do so. The hospice agency handles all the paperwork with Medicare; you do not file anything yourself.
Once enrolled, hospice can begin when ready. If your condition improves and you live longer than six months, you can remain on hospice as long as your doctor continues to certify that you have a terminal illness. Medicare will recertify your may be able to access at regular intervals.
What happens to your other Medicare coverage
When you enroll in hospice, your Part A coverage for hospital stays and skilled nursing care related to your terminal condition is suspended. This means Medicare will not pay for hospital admission or nursing home care for symptoms of your terminal illness while you are on hospice.
Your Part B coverage continues, so Medicare will still pay for doctor visits and other services unrelated to your terminal condition. For example, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, Medicare Part B covers those treatments. However, most of your care during hospice will be coordinated through the hospice team.
If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan to understand how hospice enrollment affects your coverage. Some plans have specific rules about hospice coordination.
Costs you may still have
Medicare covers all costs related to your terminal condition hospice care — nursing, medications, equipment, and counseling. You will not receive a bill from the hospice agency for these services.
You may have costs for services unrelated to your terminal condition. For example, if you need treatment for a broken arm or dental work, those are not covered by hospice and would fall under your regular Part B coverage rules. You would pay your Part B copay or coinsurance for those services.
Some people choose to hire private caregivers or aides in addition to the hospice team. These are out-of-pocket costs not covered by Medicare. Discuss with the hospice social worker what services the hospice team provides before hiring additional help.
Choosing a hospice provider
Medicare covers care from any Medicare-certified hospice agency. You have the right to choose which agency provides your care. Ask your doctor for recommendations, or search the Medicare Care Compare tool on Medicare.gov to see which hospice agencies serve your area and read reviews from other families.
When comparing agencies, ask about their availability — some provide 24/7 nursing support, while others have set visiting hours. Ask whether they have experience with your specific illness. Find out whether they can accommodate your preferences, such as keeping you at home as long as possible or supporting your spiritual or cultural practices.
You can change hospice agencies if you are unhappy with your care. Notify your current agency and your new agency, and Medicare will transfer your enrollment. There is no penalty for switching.
What to do if you want to stop hospice care
You can leave hospice at any time if you decide to pursue curative treatment again. Notify your hospice agency and your doctor. Your Part A coverage for hospital and skilled nursing care related to your terminal condition will resume.
If you leave hospice and later want to re-enroll, your doctor and the hospice medical director will need to recertify that you still have a terminal illness with six months or less to live. This is a new certification, so the process takes a few days. There is no waiting period or penalty for re-enrolling.
Some people move between hospice and short hospital stays or nursing home stays for symptom management. This is called "respite care" and is covered by Medicare. The hospice team can help coordinate these transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for hospice in a nursing home or facility instead of at home?
Yes. Medicare covers hospice in a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, or dedicated hospice facility at no cost to you. The coverage is identical whether hospice is delivered in your home or another setting. Your choice depends on your medical needs and what your family can manage.
What if my doctor says I have more than six months to live?
Medicare requires both your doctor and the hospice medical director to certify a terminal illness with six months or less to live. If your prognosis is longer, you do not meet Medicare's criteria for hospice. You can revisit this with your doctor as your condition changes.
Can I keep seeing my regular doctor while on hospice?
Yes, though most of your care will be coordinated through the hospice team. Your regular doctor can remain involved and consult with the hospice medical director. Some people continue seeing their oncologist or specialist alongside hospice care, especially early on.
Do I have to pay for hospice medications?
No. Medicare covers all medications related to your terminal condition through hospice, including pain medication and symptom management drugs. There is no copay or deductible for these medications while you are enrolled in hospice.
What if I run out of money — does hospice still cover me?
Yes. Medicare coverage of hospice does not depend on your income or assets. As long as you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and meet the medical criteria, hospice is covered regardless of your financial situation.