In most states, Medicaid offers similar coverage.
Original Medicare
The Original Medicare hospice benefit covers the costs associated with hospice care for the primary hospice diagnosis.
If you are receiving ongoing treatment or medications for other health problems unrelated to the primary hospice diagnosis, these costs may not be covered by the hospice provider. You may have to pay out of pocket or use your supplemental policies to cover these expenses.
Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you are paying additional premiums for supplemental insurance such as Medicare Advantage, you should confirm your coverage with the hospice organization before cancelling Medicare Advantage or any supplemental insurance policies.
If you continue your Medicare Advantage plan, it may pay for the cost of some caregiving services not covered by Original Medicare. Check with the Medicare Advantage policy holder directly to determine whether additional services are covered. Learn more about hospice care and Medicare Advantage.
Employer and state marketplace health insurance
Many health insurance plans provided through an employer or a state marketplace do offer a hospice benefit. However, plans may provide different levels of coverage compared to one another or to Medicare. It is important to check your policy.
Military coverage
Military families have hospice coverage through Tricare. Veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system and elect hospice care are covered through the VA system.
Care is provided through the VA’s community partners; inpatient care may be offered at some VA facilities.
Self-pay and charity care
Hospice providers will accept private payment, referred to as “self-pay,” which may be an option for patients without healthcare insurance.
Sometimes a patient who needs hospice care has no way to pay for it. Fortunately, many hospice providers have a process for addressing the needs of people who are medically eligible for hospice but have neither insurance nor the financial resources to pay for end-of-life care.
