Hospice care is a cost-effective alternative to expensive hospital treatment. It involves fewer procedures and uses less medical equipment. In addition, hospice is often staffed by family members and volunteers. Medicare will cover the majority of hospice care. If you have private health insurance, check to see if your policy covers hospice care.
Most private health insurance companies cover some or all of the cost of hospice care. Palliative care is often included in chronic-care benefits, and long-term care policies will pay for some of the costs Medicare doesn’t. Medicaid can also cover some hospice medications and treatments, but it’s important to check the details of your coverage to make sure you’re fully covered.
The average cost of hospice care per month will vary depending on the services provided. Medicare covers 95% of these services, but some plans may not cover the entire cost. Medicare beneficiaries must have less than six months to live in order to qualify for the hospice benefit. Medicare will pay for the cost of these services if they have limited funds and cannot afford other types of care.
Medicare covers most hospice care costs if the hospice is Medicare-certified. Nearly one million people require hospice care every year. Most hospices in the United States are certified by Medicare.
