Compassionate end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals and support for their families during a terminal illness.
1.72 million Medicare beneficiaries | 100% coverage under Medicare Part A
Hospice care is specialized medical care designed to provide comfort and support to people in the final phases of a terminal illness. The goal is to help patients live as comfortably as possible while respecting their wishes and dignity. Hospice addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both patients and families.
Unlike traditional medical care that focuses on curing illness, hospice prioritizes quality of life when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. Services are delivered by an interdisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors, and trained volunteers.
Hospice can be provided in any setting—at home, in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing facilities, or dedicated hospice centers. Most people prefer to receive hospice care at home surrounded by family.
To qualify for hospice care, a person must meet these criteria:
Important: The 6-month prognosis is an estimate, not a strict deadline. Many patients live longer than expected and can continue receiving hospice care as long as the illness progresses naturally.
Medicare Part A covers 100% of hospice costs
No deductibles or co-pays for most services (small medication co-pays may apply)
Note: When you elect hospice under Medicare, you waive the right to Medicare coverage for curative treatment of the terminal illness. However, you can still receive Medicare coverage for unrelated health conditions.
Good to know: Most hospice agencies provide care regardless of ability to pay. If you don't have insurance or can't afford hospice, talk to providers about charity care or sliding scale fees. Learn more about financial assistance options.
Choosing the right hospice provider is important for ensuring quality end-of-life care. Consider these factors:
Need help? Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or explore caregiver support resources for guidance on hospice selection and end-of-life planning.
| Care Type | Purpose | Eligibility | Medicare Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Care | End-of-life comfort and support | Terminal illness, 6mo or less | 100% covered |
| Home Health | Medical care and recovery at home | Doctor-ordered, homebound status | Covered with limits (Part A/B) |
| Skilled Nursing | 24/7 medical care and rehabilitation | Post-hospital recovery or long-term care | Up to 100 days post-hospital |
| Assisted Living | Daily living assistance | Needs help with ADLs | Not covered |
Hospice care is specialized medical care focused on providing comfort and quality of life for people with terminal illnesses who have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Rather than attempting to cure the illness, hospice focuses on managing pain and symptoms, providing emotional and spiritual support, and helping patients live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice also provides counseling and bereavement support for families.
While both focus on comfort and quality of life, palliative care can be provided at any stage of serious illness and alongside curative treatment. Hospice is specifically for terminal illnesses when curative treatment is no longer pursued. Palliative care has no time limit or eligibility requirements, while hospice requires a terminal diagnosis with 6 months or less to live. Both prioritize pain management, symptom control, and holistic support.
Yes, Medicare Part A covers 100% of hospice care costs for eligible patients. This includes nursing care, doctor services, medications for symptom control and pain relief, medical equipment (hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen), medical supplies, short-term respite care, home health aide services, spiritual counseling, and bereavement support for up to 13 months after death. There are no deductibles or co-pays for hospice services, though there may be small co-pays ($5) for medications.
Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient lives: at home (most common), in an assisted living facility, memory care community, skilled nursing facility, or in a dedicated hospice care center. About 70% of hospice patients receive care at home. The location is chosen based on patient preference, family resources, and care needs. Hospice teams travel to the patient rather than requiring hospital visits.
Hospice provides comprehensive care including: pain and symptom management, nursing care and regular home visits, physician oversight, medications for comfort care, medical equipment and supplies, home health aide assistance with bathing and personal care, spiritual counseling from chaplains, emotional and psychological counseling, social services support, short-term inpatient care for crisis management, short-term respite care to give family caregivers a break, volunteer support, and bereavement counseling for family members up to 13 months after death.
Yes, patients have the right to leave hospice care (called "revoking" hospice) at any time if they wish to pursue curative treatment or for any other reason. You can also switch to a different hospice provider without leaving hospice entirely. If your condition improves and you live longer than 6 months, you can be recertified for continued hospice care. There is no penalty for leaving hospice.
The right time is when a terminal illness is diagnosed with a prognosis of 6 months or less, and the focus shifts from curing the disease to maximizing comfort and quality of life. Studies show that patients who enroll in hospice earlier (rather than in the final days of life) experience better pain control, symptom management, and overall quality of life. Many families wish they had started hospice sooner. Doctors can help determine appropriate timing based on disease progression.
Explore our comprehensive guides to different types of senior care and financial assistance programs.