If you decide you want curative treatment (instead of just palliative treatment), you have the right to stop hospice at any time. Speak with your hospice doctor if you are interested in stopping. If you end your hospice care, you will be asked to sign a form that includes the
Hospice
Continuing hospice past your initial prognosis
Medicare covers hospice care for two initial 90-day benefit periods, or a total of six months. After this, it will cover an unlimited amount of 60-day (two-month) benefit periods. At the start of each benefit period, your hospice doctor or a related provider must re-certify that you have a life
Hospice and skilled nursing facility (SNF) care
Medicare covers hospice at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) only if the SNF has a contract with a Medicare-certified hospice that can provide your care. The hospice benefit will not pay for room and board at the SNF, so you will be responsible for that cost. If you have skilled
Drug coverage under hospice
Medicare’s hospice benefit should cover any prescription drugs you need for pain and symptom management related to your terminal condition. You pay a $5 copayment for outpatient pain and symptom management drugs. You pay nothing for drugs you receive as an inpatient during a short-term hospital or skilled nursing facility
Medicare Advantage and hospice
Hospice care is always covered under Original Medicare, even if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. After electing hospice, care related to your terminal illness will follow Original Medicare’s cost and coverage rules. While you cannot receive curative care for symptoms related to your terminal illness, Medicare will cover treatment
Hospice costs and coverage
If you qualify for the hospice benefit, Medicare covers the following: Skilled nursing services, which are services performed by or under the supervision of a licensed or certified nurse to treat your injury or illness. Services you may receive include injections (and teaching you to self-inject), tube feedings, catheter changes,
Hospice basics
Hospice is a program of end-of-life pain management and comfort care for those with a terminal illness. Medicare’s hospice benefit offers end-of-life palliative treatment, including support for your physical, emotional, and other needs. It is important to remember that the goal of hospice is to help you live comfortably, not
Services excluded from home health coverage
Medicare’s home health benefit does not cover all home care services. Services excluded from Medicare coverage include: 24-hour per day care at home Prescription drugs If you need prescription drug coverage, enroll in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that provides drug coverage. Meals delivered to your