Yes, Medicare covers hospice care when your doctor and a hospice medical director both agree you have six months or less to live

Medicare Part A pays for hospice services without a copay or deductible, as long as you meet the medical criteria and choose a Medicare-approved hospice provider. You do not have to be in a hospital or nursing home to receive hospice — most people receive it at home. Medicare covers the doctor visits, nursing care, medications related to your terminal condition, equipment like hospital beds and wheelchairs, and counseling for you and your family.

The key requirement is that both your primary care doctor and the hospice medical director must document that your condition is terminal and life expectancy is six months or less if the disease runs its normal course. This is not a may provide that you will die within six months — some people live longer. If you do, you can continue receiving hospice care as long as the hospice medical director recertifies every 60 days that your condition remains terminal.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part A covers all hospice services with no copay or deductible when a doctor certifies a terminal diagnosis with six months or less expected to live.
  • You can receive hospice at home, in a hospice facility, a hospital, or a nursing home — Medicare covers the care in all settings.
  • Hospice covers doctor visits, nursing, medications for your terminal condition, equipment, and counseling, but not treatments meant to cure your illness.
  • You must choose a Medicare-approved hospice provider; you can find the list on Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm a provider is approved.
  • If you live longer than six months, your hospice care continues as long as your doctor recertifies your terminal status every 60 days.

What Medicare hospice covers and does not cover

Medicare pays for nursing visits, doctor care, social work, chaplain services, bereavement counseling for family members after death, and medications directly related to managing your terminal illness. It also covers medical equipment — oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds — and supplies like bandages and catheters. Home health aide visits and short-term respite care (a few days in a facility so your family caregiver can rest) are included.

Medicare does not pay for treatments meant to cure your illness once you are on hospice. If you want chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery to treat your condition, you would need to leave hospice and return to regular Medicare coverage. Some people do this, and it is allowed. You can also leave hospice at any time if you change your mind or want to pursue other treatment options.

How to start the hospice process with Medicare

Your doctor initiates the process by referring you to a hospice provider. You do not have to accept the first provider your doctor suggests — you can choose any Medicare-approved hospice. To check whether a hospice is approved, visit Medicare.gov and search their hospice provider directory, or call 1-800-MEDICARE and give them the hospice name.

Once you choose a provider, the hospice team will meet with you and your family to discuss your care plan, what to expect, and what services they offer. You will sign consent forms, and the hospice medical director will review your medical records and confirm the terminal diagnosis. This usually takes a few days. After that, care begins — typically with a nurse visit to your home to set up medications and equipment.

If your doctor has not mentioned hospice but you think it might be right for you, you can ask your doctor directly about a referral. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for information about hospice providers in your area.

Medicare hospice in different care settings

Most hospice care happens at home, and Medicare covers it the same way. A nurse visits regularly — how often depends on your needs — and you can call the hospice 24 hours a day if symptoms worsen or you need help.

If you live in a nursing home or assisted living facility, Medicare hospice works alongside the facility's staff. The hospice provides the specialized end-of-life care, and the facility handles daily living support. If you are in a hospital, Medicare covers hospice services there too, though hospital-based hospice is less common.

Some hospice organizations run their own inpatient facilities for people who need round-the-clock nursing care that cannot be managed at home. Medicare covers stays in these facilities under the same hospice benefit — no separate payment required.

What happens if you live longer than six months

The six-month prognosis is not a important date. If you are still alive after six months, your hospice care continues as long as your doctor and the hospice medical director recertify every 60 days that your condition remains terminal. Some people receive hospice for a year or longer.

Every two months, the hospice team reviews your condition. If they believe you no longer have a terminal illness — for example, if an unexpected treatment worked or your condition stabilized — they may discharge you from hospice. You would then return to regular Medicare coverage. If you disagree with a discharge decision, you can request a review.

Choosing a Medicare-approved hospice provider

Not all hospice organizations are Medicare-approved. Before you commit to a provider, confirm its Medicare status. You can search Medicare.gov's hospice directory by entering your zip code, or call 1-800-MEDICARE with the hospice name and they will tell you whether it is approved.

When comparing providers, ask about their availability (do they have nurses available 24/7?), what medications and equipment they stock, whether they offer chaplain or counseling services, and whether they have experience with your specific condition. Ask your doctor or social worker for recommendations based on their experience. You can also ask the hospice for references — names of families they have served who are willing to talk about their experience.

If you change your mind about your choice of provider, you can switch to a different Medicare-approved hospice at any time. The new hospice will contact your previous provider to transfer your records.

Costs and what you pay

When you are on Medicare hospice, you pay nothing for hospice services — no copay, no deductible, no coinsurance. This includes all visits, medications for your terminal condition, equipment, and counseling. Medicare Part A covers the full cost.

You may still have costs for medications or treatments not related to your terminal illness. For example, if you have diabetes and need insulin, that would be covered under your regular Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D), not hospice. Ask your hospice team and your doctor which medications are considered part of your hospice care and which are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay on hospice if I want to try a new treatment?

No. If you want treatment meant to cure your illness, you must leave hospice and return to regular Medicare. You can do this at any time. If the treatment does not work and you want to return to hospice later, you can — your doctor would refer you again and the process starts over.

What if my family disagrees with the hospice decision?

If your hospice team wants to discharge you and you or your family disagree, you can request a review. Contact your hospice's patient advocate or call 1-800-MEDICARE to file a complaint or ask about the appeal process. Medicare takes these disputes seriously.

Do I have to use the hospice my doctor recommends?

No. Your doctor can suggest a provider, but you choose which Medicare-approved hospice you want. You can ask for a list of approved providers in your area and interview more than one before deciding.

Will hospice care speed up my death?

No. Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life, not hastening death. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so you can spend time with family and feel as well as possible. Hospice does not use life-prolonging treatments, but it also does not cause death to come sooner.

Can I receive hospice care while still seeing my regular doctor?

Yes. Your regular doctor can continue to see you, and the hospice team works with your doctor. The hospice medical director oversees your hospice care, but your own doctor remains involved in your overall care plan.