Hospice Services

What Services are Included in My Care?

Depending on the terminal illness and related conditions, hospice care services generally include:

• Physician services

• Skilled nursing

• Medical equipment

• Medical supplies

• Prescription drugs for symptom control or pain relief

• Certified nursing aides

• Therapy services

• Social work services

• Grief and loss counseling for the patient and family

• Respite care

Respite care is indicated when:

• The caregiver is physically and emotionally exhausted from caring for the patient on a 24/7 basis and requires a short break from this duty

• The caregiver would like to attend a family event, such as a wedding, graduation, vacation, or other event

• The caregiver is ill and needs a break from patient care to recover

What is Not Covered?

Not all services provided to patients enrolled in hospice care are covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The benefit will not pay for:

• Treatment intended to cure a terminal illness or treatment unrelated to the hospice-related illness

• Prescription drugs to cure the illness or illnesses unrelated to the hospice-related illness

• Room and board in a nursing home or hospice residential facility

• Care in an emergency room, inpatient facility, or ambulance transportation, unless it is either arranged by the hospice team or is unrelated to the terminal illness