Medicare Part A covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries who have a terminal illness and choose comfort-focused care instead of treatment to cure their condition. Hospice care focuses on pain relief, symptom management, emotional support, and quality of life, and is provided by a Medicare-approved hospice team in your home or another care setting.
If your doctor confirms that you have a terminal illness and believes you may have about six months or less to live, you may qualify for hospice care coverage through Medicare. Hospice care isn’t about trying to cure your illness; it’s about helping you feel as comfortable as possible by easing pain, managing symptoms, and supporting your quality of life.
Medicare’s hospice benefit covers a range of services focused on comfort, dignity, and support rather than curative treatment. As a hospice patient, you’ll have access to comprehensive support services. Covered services may include:
Agent tip:
Choosing hospice care doesn’t mean giving up all Medicare coverage. Medicare may still cover care for conditions unrelated to your terminal illness, as long as your hospice team or doctor determines it’s not part of your hospice plan of care.
Before receiving certain types of care, it’s important to confirm with your hospice team. If a service isn’t part of your hospice plan of care, you may be responsible for the full cost. Medicare Part A generally does not cover:
According to Medicare.gov, for covered hospice care services in 2026:
Unlike other Medicare Part A services, Medicare hospice care does not require you to pay the inpatient hospital deductible.
Medicare Part A covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries who choose comfort-focused care for a terminal illness. While most hospice services are covered at little to no cost, there may be small copayments for prescription drugs and respite care. Understanding how the Medicare hospice benefit works can help you and your family focus on comfort, support, and quality of life during a difficult time.
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Yes. Medicare Part A provides hospice coverage when a physician or hospice medical director certifies a terminal condition with a life expectancy of six months or less, and you choose comfort-focused care instead of curative treatment.
Medicare-covered hospice care may include pain and symptom management, nursing care, medical social services, counseling and spiritual support, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and short-term inpatient or respite care when needed.
Yes. Hospice care is most often provided in your home, but it can also be provided in other settings where you live, such as a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or hospice inpatient facility.
Most hospice services are covered at no cost under Medicare Part A. You may pay a small copayment (up to $5) for prescription drugs used for pain or symptom control, and up to 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.
No. When you choose hospice care, Medicare does not cover treatments intended to cure your terminal illness or related conditions. However, Medicare may still cover care for conditions unrelated to your terminal illness.
Yes. Hospice care is voluntary. You can choose to stop hospice care at any time and return to standard Medicare-covered treatments if your health goals or needs change.
Medicare covers hospice care in benefit periods: two 90-day benefit periods followed by unlimited 60-day benefit periods, as long as a doctor recertifies your eligibility.
Read more by Renee van Staveren
Since 2009, I've been writing about complicated, technical issues, with the goal of making topics like Medicare and healthcare easier to understand. I've been writing about Medicare since 2021 and healthcare since 2019. I am an AmeriCorps alumni. I enjoy gardening, reading, and DIYing.
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