Healthwise
To print: Use your web browser's print feature. Close this window after printing.

Medicare Hospice Benefit

Table of Contents


Overview

The Medicare hospice benefit covers care related to a terminal illness.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older. It's also for some people younger than 65 who have disabilities. And it's for people with long-term (chronic) kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant. It's administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The Medicare hospice benefit is described in Part A. Part A benefits cover hospitals and nursing facilities (but not custodial or long-term care). They also cover some home health care, as well as hospice. People (including a spouse) who paid Medicare taxes while they were working are eligible for Part A benefits. You don't have to pay a monthly payment, or premium, for Part A benefits.

Eligibility

You must meet all of the criteria below to be eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit:

For more information, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at www.cms.gov or call them at 1-800-633-4227.

Covered services

Medicare pays the hospice program a daily (per diem) rate. The rate is intended to fully cover most services related to a terminal illness. These may include:

If your condition changes so that hospice is no longer right for you, you can get your former Medicare benefits reinstated. You can also re-apply for hospice benefits at a later time if you need them.


Credits for Medicare Hospice Benefit

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document. Some information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.