How does Medicare cover hospice care?

Who qualifies for hospice benefits?

Medicare Part A provides coverage for hospice care if you are eligible. This type of support is for people with illnesses that cannot be cured. To qualify, your hospice doctor and your regular doctor (if you have one) must certify that you are terminally ill. They must agree that your remaining time is six months or less.

You must also accept comfort care instead of treatment aimed at curing the illness. You will sign a statement choosing this path over other Medicare-covered treatments. This process ensures that your care focuses on symptom management and quality of life.

What does the coverage include?

Once you choose hospice, the benefit usually covers everything you need for your terminal condition. You and your family work with a care team to set up a specific plan. This plan includes services designed to manage pain and other symptoms. The team arranges all care for your terminal illness.

You can typically receive this care in your home or other living facility. If your condition requires it, the team may arrange short-term inpatient care. Medicare covers your stay in the facility for these specific services. This helps ensure you get the right level of support when needed.

What is not covered?

Medicare will not pay for treatment meant to cure your terminal illness. This also includes prescription drugs meant to cure the disease rather than control symptoms. Care from providers not set up by your hospice team is also excluded. You must get care from the specific provider you chose.

Hospital outpatient care, inpatient care, and ambulance rides are not covered unless arranged by the team. The exception is care that your hospice team arranges or that has nothing to do with your terminal illness. Contact your team before getting these services to avoid paying the entire cost yourself.

How much will you pay?

You pay nothing for covered services from a Medicare-approved provider. However, you may owe a copayment for each outpatient prescription for pain and symptom management. In the rare case the hospice benefit doesn't cover a drug, your hospice provider should check with your plan about Part D. They must inform you if any items are not covered and why.

Medicare doesn't pay for room and board, whether you get hospice care at home or live in a nursing home or hospice inpatient facility. You may have to pay for your housing separately. For inpatient respite care, you might pay a copayment. This amount cannot be more than the inpatient deductible.

Can you keep your doctor or change providers?

You can still see your regular doctor if they supervise your hospice care. This person helps coordinate your treatment with the hospice team. You also have the right to change your provider once during each benefit period. This allows you to find a team that fits your needs.

While you're in hospice, Original Medicare still pays for covered care for health problems that aren't part of your terminal illness. You'll owe any deductible and coinsurance for that care.

Common questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Medicare rules, dates and dollar amounts can change each year; Medicare.gov has the official details.