Key Takeaways

• Medicare does offer a range of services that can help you care for someone nearing the end of life, but coverage varies by service type and timing.

• Understanding the differences between hospice, palliative care, and other Medicare-covered services can help you make confident and timely decisions.

Understanding Medicare’s Role in End-of-Life Support

Caring for someone approaching the end of life is emotional and challenging. Medicare can provide significant support, but you need to know what’s covered, what’s not, and how to access those benefits. Whether you’re the primary caregiver or just helping coordinate care, knowing what Medicare includes can make a real difference.

What Is Considered End-of-Life Care?

End-of-life care refers to the support provided during the final phase of a person’s life. This can include:

• Pain and symptom management

• Emotional and spiritual support

• Help with daily activities

• Guidance for family members and caregivers

Medicare’s end-of-life coverage focuses primarily on hospice care, with limited support available under other parts of the program. The timing of when you or your loved one enrolls in these services affects what’s covered.

Hospice Care Under Medicare

Hospice is the cornerstone of Medicare’s end-of-life support. It’s designed for people who are no longer pursuing curative treatment and have a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a physician.

What’s Covered

Medicare covers the following hospice-related services under Part A:

• Doctor and nursing services

• Pain management and symptom relief

• Medical equipment (like wheelchairs or hospital beds)

• Hospice aide and homemaker services

• Spiritual and grief counseling

• Short-term inpatient care for pain or symptom control

• Respite care (up to 5 days at a time for caregivers)

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for hospice care under Medicare in 2025:

• A doctor must certify that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less.

• The patient must choose to receive comfort care instead of curative treatment.

• Care must be received from a Medicare-approved hospice provider.

Once enrolled, most costs related to the terminal illness are covered. You typically won’t pay deductibles for hospice, but you might be responsible for small copayments for prescriptions and respite care.

Palliative Care vs Hospice: Not the Same

Palliative care focuses on symptom relief and quality of life, but unlike hospice, it can be provided at any stage of a serious illness—even while curative treatments continue.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare doesn’t specifically label palliative care as a benefit. Instead, it covers services that fall under this umbrella when provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, or other approved providers:

• Consultations for symptom management

• Mental health services

• Physical therapy

• Pain medications and treatment

Coverage may fall under Part B or Part A, depending on where care is provided. If the patient is hospitalized, Part A might apply. If the care is provided in a clinic or at home by a healthcare provider, Part B likely covers it. Copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance may apply.

Hospital and Skilled Nursing Care

In the final stages of illness, some patients may need hospital or nursing facility care. Medicare provides limited support for these options.

Inpatient Hospital Care

Under Part A, Medicare covers:

• Semi-private rooms

• Meals and nursing care

• Medications and treatments received during a hospital stay

You’re responsible for the Part A deductible, which in 2025 is $1,676 per benefit period. Beyond 60 days, coinsurance charges apply.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

If the patient is transitioning from hospital care, they may qualify for short-term skilled nursing facility coverage. Medicare covers up to 100 days per benefit period if:

• The patient had a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay

• A doctor certifies the need for skilled care

• Care is provided in a Medicare-approved facility

For days 1–20, Medicare covers the full cost. From days 21–100, a daily coinsurance applies, which can change annually.

Home Health Services

When someone chooses to remain at home, Medicare may still cover essential services that allow them to live more comfortably in their final weeks or months.

Covered Services

• Part-time skilled nursing care

• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy

• Medical social services

• Some home health aide services (limited to part-time personal care)

These are covered under Part A or Part B, depending on the nature of care. The patient must be certified as homebound by a physician.

Keep in mind that 24-hour home care, meals, or custodial care like help with bathing or dressing is not typically covered.

Respite Care for Caregivers

Medicare understands that caregivers need a break. As part of hospice coverage, Medicare pays for short-term respite care in an inpatient facility.

• You can use respite care for up to 5 consecutive days at a time

• It must be provided by a Medicare-certified facility

• This benefit can be used occasionally, not regularly

This allows you time to rest or manage other responsibilities while your loved one continues receiving professional care.

Advance Care Planning: A Key Medicare Benefit

Medicare covers advance care planning under Part B. This is a conversation with a healthcare provider about your preferences for medical care if you become unable to speak for yourself.

Topics may include:

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders

• Health care proxies

• Living wills

• Treatment preferences

This conversation can be part of your annual wellness visit or scheduled separately. It’s an important step in ensuring your loved one’s wishes are known and respected.

What Medicare Doesn’t Cover

While Medicare offers robust support near the end of life, it doesn’t cover everything. You should be prepared for some out-of-pocket expenses and limitations.

Here’s what Medicare does not typically cover:

• Long-term custodial care in nursing homes

• 24-hour home care

• Non-medical services like meal delivery or housekeeping

• Room and board in hospice care (except inpatient respite care)

Some families may choose to supplement Medicare with additional coverage, but that’s a separate decision.

Choosing the Right Time to Use Hospice

Timing is crucial. Many families wait too long to consider hospice because they think it means giving up. But starting hospice earlier—when your loved one still has the energy to talk, reflect, and engage—can lead to a more comfortable and meaningful experience.

You don’t have to wait until the very last days. If your loved one meets the eligibility criteria, hospice can begin anytime during that six-month window, and can even be extended if the doctor recertifies the need.

Emotional and Spiritual Support

Medicare’s hospice benefit includes counseling for both the patient and their loved ones. This may include:

• Grief counseling

• Spiritual guidance

• Social work services

These services are often underused but can make a big difference. Emotional support is not just for the patient—it’s for you as a caregiver, too.

Coordination With Other Services

Hospice doesn’t mean you lose access to your regular doctors or care team. In fact, Medicare encourages coordination among healthcare professionals to ensure your loved one’s comfort and dignity remain top priorities.

You can still:

• Visit your primary care provider

• Receive medications for conditions unrelated to the terminal illness

• Seek support from social workers, clergy, and counselors

Just be sure to work closely with your hospice team to avoid overlapping services that Medicare may not cover simultaneously.

A Time to Focus on Comfort and Dignity

As you support someone through their final chapter, Medicare can be a valuable ally. From medical care to emotional support, the program helps shift the focus to comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.

Understanding the full range of Medicare’s end-of-life offerings helps you make informed, compassionate choices. If you’re unsure which benefits apply or how to enroll in hospice services, speak to a licensed agent listed on this website for professional guidance tailored to your situation.