Medicare
Medicare coverage for hospice and home health care
Original Medicare covers hospice for a terminal illness, and covers part-time skilled home health care when you are homebound and a doctor orders it. Neither covers around-the-clock care or long-term custodial help.
Hospice
- For people with a terminal illness when a doctor certifies a limited life expectancy.
- Covers care to manage pain and symptoms, plus related support.
- You can keep seeing your regular doctor, and you can leave hospice if you choose.
Home health
- Part-time skilled nursing and therapy at home, ordered by a doctor.
- You must be homebound and under a plan of care.
- It does not cover full-time care or help with daily living alone.
Have this ready when you call
- Your doctor's recommendation
- Your plan type (Original or Advantage)
- Your supplement, if any
Common questions
Do Advantage plans cover them?
They must cover what Original Medicare covers, but the way you access it, such as which agency or whether approval is needed, can differ.
Who pays for custodial care at home?
Not Medicare. People often use savings, long-term care insurance or Medicaid.
Related answers
Rather talk it through?
Call 855-367-1095 and a licensed agent will go through your situation with you. There is no charge to ask, and no obligation to enroll.
- Licensed insurance help
- No guaranteed eligibility, pricing, or availability
- Educational starting point
GetFastRates.com is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Calling connects you with licensed insurance help. Plan availability, costs, benefits, and enrollment rules can vary by state, carrier, and individual situation.