Supporting Information

Hospice Care

Hospice is a special way of caring for people who are terminally ill (with six months or less to live), and for their families. Hospice care includes physical care and counseling. The goal of hospice is to provide comfort for terminally ill patients and their families, not to cure illness.

If you qualify for hospice care, you can get medical and support services, including nursing care, medical social services, doctor services, counseling, homemaker services, and other types of services. As part of hospice care, you will have a team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, counselors and trained volunteers to help you and your family cope with your illness. Depending on your condition, you may get hospice care in a hospice facility, hospital, or nursing home.

• Respite Care: Some nursing homes and hospice care facilities may provide respite care. Respite care is a very short inpatient stay given to a hospice patient so that the usual caregiver can rest. Medicare covers respite care for up to five days if you are getting covered hospice care. Room and board are covered for inpatient respite care and during short-term hospital stays.

For more information about Medicare coverage of hospice care and who qualifies, get a free copy of the booklet “Medicare Hospice Benefits.” Visit the Medicare Publications tool or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.